neither enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neither enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet a required standard or quantity in a negative context. Example: "The resources provided were neither enough to complete the project nor sufficient to meet the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

There is neither enough data nor are there enough drugs.

The Guardian

The city has neither enough water nor electricity for the population.

The New York Times

More needs to be done, and it is neither enough nor correct to say 'This couldn't happen now.' ".

The New York Times

"We have had neither enough distance nor enough time to work out what it means," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

They said there were neither enough government inspectors nor industry-appointed inspection assistants to check the body, offals and cavities of the birds.

The Guardian

In the end Sean is neither enough of a snake to perversely charm us nor appealing enough for us to want him to succeed.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

They were neither quick enough nor strong enough nor well enough organised to stop Holland.

The Guardian - Sport

"[And] he was neither crass enough nor stupid enough to threaten them".

The Guardian

The Chinese point guards were neither quick enough nor sure enough to make decisive plays.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I am neither old enough nor English enough to remember the 1990s," says Fergus Carroll.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Baker said Ms. Clark's books are neither violent enough nor sexy enough for Hollywood.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "neither enough", ensure you clearly state the two elements that are insufficient. For example, "The budget had "neither enough" funding nor sufficient time for completion".

Common error

Avoid using "neither enough" when referring to only one insufficient aspect. It's grammatically incorrect to say, "It was neither enough". Instead, rephrase to "It was insufficient" or "It wasn't enough".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neither enough" functions as a correlative conjunction indicating that two elements are insufficient or lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It connects two parallel structures, emphasizing the deficiency of both.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neither enough" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that two separate elements are insufficient. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with some usage in scientific writing. When using "neither enough", ensure you are referring to two distinct inadequacies and that your sentence structure clearly reflects this dual deficiency. Remember that alternatives like "not sufficient" or "inadequate" may be more appropriate for formal contexts or when describing a single insufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

too little

Directly expresses that the amount is insufficient.

not adequate

Uses a synonym for "enough" to convey the same meaning of insufficiency.

lacking

Simply states that something is missing or absent.

not sufficient

Offers a direct and simple substitute, emphasizing the lack of sufficiency.

falls short

Indicates that something fails to reach a desired or expected level.

insufficient amount

Replaces "neither enough" with a more formal and explicit term for inadequacy.

deficient in

Highlights a lack or shortage in a particular aspect or quality.

inadequate quantity

Focuses on the quantity being insufficient, which can be more specific than "neither enough".

scarce

Emphasizes the rarity or limited availability of something.

not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey that something does not meet the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "neither enough" in a sentence?

Use "neither enough" to indicate that two things are insufficient. For example, "There was "neither enough time" nor resources to finish the project".

What's a formal alternative to "neither enough"?

A more formal alternative is "not sufficient". For example, instead of saying "The support was neither enough", you could say "The support was "not sufficient"".

Is it correct to use "neither enough" to describe only one thing?

No, "neither enough" is used to describe two insufficient things. For a single item, use "not enough" or "insufficient" instead.

What is the difference between "not enough" and "neither enough"?

"Not enough" describes a single deficiency, while "neither enough" describes two. "The space was "not enough"" (single) vs. "The space had "neither enough light" nor ventilation" (two).