not detailed enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not detailed enough' is correct and usable in written English.
You might use this phrase to express a lack of specificity in a written explanation. For example, you could say "His instructions were not detailed enough, so I couldn't understand how to complete the task."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But often the empirical approaches are not detailed enough.

Fire Safety Journal

Others said the blueprint was not detailed enough.

The Washington Post

"The paperwork that sets them up is not detailed enough.

The New York Times

It is not detailed enough to predict the coefficients of these proportionalities.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

AUDIENCE: The census information is not detailed enough, or current enough.

Cornell University

The concern is that the images won't be sufficiently upsetting: not concrete, not detailed enough.

The New Yorker

Current models are not detailed enough to run an attribution analysis.

The Guardian

If this is not detailed enough to show clearly your woods, write to the Forestry Commission.

The Guardian

The intercepts were not detailed enough to warn of any specific attack.

The New York Times

Publicly available grant records are not detailed enough to corroborate Laureate's exact numbers.

The Washington Post

Current simulation tools are still not detailed enough to allow for realistic scenarios to handle soil erosion problems.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a report or explanation, follow "not detailed enough" with a specific example of what's missing. This strengthens your critique and provides constructive feedback.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something is "not detailed enough" without explaining what specific information is lacking. Vague criticisms are less helpful and can be easily dismissed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not detailed enough" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase acting as a postmodifier. It qualifies a noun by expressing a deficiency in the level of detail provided. Ludwig AI confirms this through various examples where it describes documents, maps, and explanations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not detailed enough" is a versatile phrase used to express a lack of specificity or depth in information. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it functions as a postmodifier and is commonly employed across diverse contexts, including scientific, news, and formal communications. To enhance clarity, it's advisable to follow this phrase with specific examples of the missing details. While generally neutral in register, it appears frequently in both formal and informal settings. Remember to support the argument that something is "not detailed enough" by stating why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insufficiently detailed

Emphasizes the lack of detail more directly.

lacking in detail

Highlights the absence of specific information.

not comprehensive enough

Focuses on the lack of completeness in the information.

not thorough enough

Stresses the lack of depth or meticulousness.

not elaborate enough

Indicates a need for more complexity or development.

not specific enough

Highlights a lack of precision or particularity.

too general

Simplifies the issue to a lack of specificity.

too superficial

Suggests a lack of depth or substance.

oversimplified

Implies that crucial details have been omitted.

sketchy

Conveys a sense of incompleteness and potential unreliability.

FAQs

How can I use "not detailed enough" in a sentence?

You can use "not detailed enough" to describe information that lacks necessary specifics. For instance, "The report was "not detailed enough" to determine the root cause of the problem".

What are some alternatives to saying "not detailed enough"?

Alternatives include "insufficiently detailed", "lacking in detail", or "not comprehensive enough", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "not detailed enough" or "insufficiently detailed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "insufficiently detailed" may sound more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone and audience.

What does it mean when something is described as "not detailed enough"?

It means that the information provided lacks the necessary specifics or depth to be fully understood or useful. More information or granularity is needed.