not nearly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"not nearly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something is not sufficient. Example: We did not raise nearly enough money to cover our costs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not nearly enough.

The New York Times - Arts

Not nearly enough — yet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

RR: Not nearly enough.

University of California, Berkeley

This is not nearly enough.

The Economist

That is not nearly enough.

The New York Times

But it's not nearly enough.

The New York Times - Arts

It was not nearly enough.

The New York Times - Health

They're not nearly enough.

The New York Times

Not nearly enough from my perspective.

The New York Times

"But they are not nearly enough yet.

The New York Times

But it is not nearly enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not nearly enough" to express that something falls significantly short of what is required or expected. It adds emphasis to the insufficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "not nearly enough" when a slight deficit exists; the phrase implies a substantial shortfall. For minor discrepancies, consider gentler phrasing, such as "slightly insufficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not nearly enough" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or adjective to express a degree of insufficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to emphasize that something falls considerably short of what is needed or expected. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not nearly enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a significant insufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to emphasize that something falls considerably short of what is required or expected. Predominantly found in News & Media and academic contexts, it carries a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure that the shortfall is substantial to accurately reflect its meaning. Alternatives such as "far from sufficient" or "woefully inadequate" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

far from sufficient

Emphasizes the distance from the required amount or standard.

nowhere near enough

Highlights the inadequacy of the amount using a spatial metaphor.

hardly sufficient

Indicates that something barely meets the minimum requirement.

woefully inadequate

Stresses the regrettable insufficiency of something.

a drop in the bucket

Illustrates that something is a very small and insignificant portion of what is needed.

grossly insufficient

Emphasizes the significant inadequacy of something.

falls far short

Highlights the failure to reach a specific target or expectation.

barely scratches the surface

Suggests that only a minimal amount has been addressed or achieved.

leaves much to be desired

Indicates that something is significantly lacking or deficient.

pales in comparison

Emphasizes the significant difference between something and what is needed or expected.

FAQs

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

You can use "not nearly enough" to express that something is significantly less than what is required or expected. For example: "The funding we received was "not nearly enough" to cover the project's expenses."

What are some alternatives to "not nearly enough"?

Alternatives to "not nearly enough" include "far from sufficient", "nowhere near enough", or "woefully inadequate". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of inadequacy you wish to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "not enough" instead of "not nearly enough"?

Yes, "not enough" is appropriate when you simply want to state that something is insufficient. "Not nearly enough" emphasizes the extent of the insufficiency, implying a significant shortfall.

What's the difference between "not quite enough" and "not nearly enough"?

"Not quite enough" suggests something is close to being sufficient but falls slightly short. "Not nearly enough" indicates a much larger gap between what is available and what is needed.