not adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is insufficient or not meeting the required standards or expectations. Example: "The resources provided for the project were not adequate to complete the tasks on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's simply not adequate.

The New York Times

That's not adequate.

The Washington Post

"Our plan is not adequate.

The New York Times - Health

Often this amount is not adequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

No, it was not adequate in retrospect.

The New York Times

Perhaps the salary was not adequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mere expression of intention is not adequate".

The New York Times

A dust mask is not adequate to block vapors.

The New York Times

But Mr. Matthews maintains that such explanations are not adequate.

The New York Times

The current data, she said, is not adequate.

The New York Times

Turnpike officials decided that was not adequate, Mr. Gross said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not adequate", clearly specify what the subject fails to meet the requirements for. For instance, instead of saying "The plan is not adequate", specify "The plan is not adequate to address the rising sea levels".

Common error

Avoid using "not adequate" without providing specific context. Saying something is "not adequate" lacks impact without explaining why it is insufficient. Provide details to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not adequate" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something does not meet the required or expected standard. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, reinforcing its role in expressing insufficiency or deficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not adequate" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is insufficient or fails to meet a certain standard. Ludwig AI analysis shows its presence across various domains, including news, science, and academia, indicating its versatile usage. While generally neutral in tone, it's essential to provide context specifying what is lacking when using this phrase. Alternatives like "insufficient" and "inadequate" offer similar meanings. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, "not adequate" is a reliable and effective phrase for conveying a lack of adequacy in numerous situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficient

This alternative directly implies a lack of quantity or quality needed to fulfill a requirement.

inadequate

This term emphasizes the inability to meet a specific need or standard.

not sufficient

This alternative is nearly synonymous, stressing the lack of required amount or degree.

lacking

This phrase indicates the absence of something essential or desirable.

deficient

This term suggests a flaw or incompleteness that makes something less than it should be.

not up to par

This idiom means something doesn't meet the expected standard of quality or performance.

falling short

This indicates a failure to reach a desired goal or standard.

substandard

This implies that something is below the usual or required standard.

not good enough

This emphasizes that something doesn't meet a required standard for a particular purpose.

wanting

This term implies a deficiency or absence of something needed or desired.

FAQs

How can I use "not adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "not adequate" to describe something that does not meet the required standard or expectation. For example: "The funding provided was "not adequate" for the project's needs."

What are some alternatives to "not adequate"?

Alternatives include "insufficient", "inadequate", or "not sufficient". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "not adequate" and "inadequate"?

While similar, "inadequate" often implies a more inherent or fundamental deficiency, whereas "not adequate" can refer to a specific situation or purpose. For many cases, they are interchangeable.

Which is correct: "not adequate" or "not sufficiently adequate"?

"Not adequate" is the more concise and natural phrasing. "Not sufficiently adequate" is redundant, as "adequate" already implies sufficiency.