not sufficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not sufficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet a required level or standard. Example: "The evidence presented was not sufficiently convincing to change the jury's mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not sufficiently.

The Guardian - Business

It was not sufficiently tender.

The New Yorker

He was not sufficiently forgiven".

The New Yorker

But not sufficiently.

The New York Times - Books

"I'm not sufficiently interesting".

The Guardian

Not sufficiently feminine.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not sufficiently personal or self-abasing?

The New York Times

I was not sufficiently ambitious".

The New York Times

You know, not sufficiently accommodating.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And the video was not sufficiently corroborative".

The New York Times

Gilligan: It was not sufficiently supported.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language by using synonyms like "not adequately" or "insufficient" to avoid repetition and enhance the readability of your writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple negative words in a sentence with "not sufficiently". This can lead to confusing or unclear statements. Instead, rephrase the sentence to use a positive construction where possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not sufficiently" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent to which an action or quality fails to meet a certain standard or requirement. It describes the degree of inadequacy, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not sufficiently" functions as an adverbial phrase that is commonly used to indicate that something fails to meet a certain standard or requirement. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news, scientific and formal business writing. While "not sufficiently" is relatively formal, synonyms such as "not enough" or "not adequately" can be used to vary your language. Pay attention to avoiding double negatives to ensure clarity. The phrase is most authoritative in the "The Guardian", "The New York Times", and "The New Yorker".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not adequately

Emphasizes a lack of adequate quality or quantity.

insufficient

A formal synonym that stresses the inadequacy of something.

not enough

A more straightforward and common way to express insufficiency.

inadequate

A single-word adjective expressing a lack of suitability or competence.

deficient

Highlights a specific lack or shortage of something required.

lacking

Focuses on the absence of something necessary.

not to the required degree

A more verbose alternative highlighting a failure to meet a standard.

not quite

Indicates that something is close to being sufficient but falls short.

barely

Suggests that something is only just enough and almost inadequate.

scarcely

Highlights the rarity or small amount of something.

FAQs

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

Use "not sufficiently" to indicate that something does not meet a particular requirement or standard. For example, "The evidence was "not sufficiently" convincing to change the verdict."

What are some alternatives to "not sufficiently"?

You can use alternatives like "not adequately", "inadequate", or "insufficient" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "not sufficiently" or "not enough"?

Both phrases are correct, but "not sufficiently" is generally more formal than "not enough". Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing. In certain contexts, phrases like "not adequately" may be more fitting.

How does "not sufficiently" compare to "barely" or "scarcely"?

"Not sufficiently" indicates that something falls short of a required level, while "barely" and "scarcely" suggest that something is only just enough. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; for example "barely" implies a lower degree than "not sufficiently".