plainly insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "plainly insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is clearly inadequate or not enough to meet a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The evidence presented in the case was plainly insufficient to support a conviction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

NCLB's reforms were plainly insufficient.

The Economist

Interdiction of milk supplies, though important, is plainly insufficient.

The New York Times

Though the _Times _recently reported that more than three times as many moving violations have been issued to bikers in Central Park in 2014 as in the same period in 2013, these efforts are plainly insufficient.

The New Yorker

Though the Times recently reported that more than three times as many moving violations have been issued to bikers in Central Park in 2014 as in the same period in 2013, these efforts are plainly insufficient.

The New Yorker

Villiers responded that the Tories were "not prepared to blindly accept the route" proposed in the white paper – and excoriated the proposed line to Acton, and the construction of a new station at Old Oak Common, as plainly insufficient to connect the line to Heathrow.

The Guardian

Reliable transport protocols are plainly insufficient to serve the above purpose.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Plainly dressed.

Independent

Speak plainly.

The New Yorker

ADDRESS plainly.

The New Yorker

"Plainly saying" entails not plainly saying.

The New York Times - Books

Plainly not.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly insufficient" when you want to emphasize the obvious nature of the inadequacy. This phrase is suitable for formal and informal contexts where clarity is important.

Common error

While "plainly insufficient" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overusing it in very informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "not enough" or "clearly lacking" might be more appropriate for casual conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly insufficient" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is clearly not enough or inadequate. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing examples where it describes the inadequacy of various things, from reforms to evidence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "plainly insufficient" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to express that something is clearly inadequate or not enough. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from diverse sources like news outlets and scientific publications. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts with a neutral to formal register. While "plainly insufficient" is generally acceptable, remember to consider your audience and the context to make sure your message is clear and effective. For more casual environments, simpler alternatives may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly inadequate

Replaces "plainly" with "clearly", emphasizing the obvious nature of the inadequacy.

patently deficient

Uses "patently" and "deficient" for a more formal and emphatic tone.

obviously lacking

Focuses on the obvious absence of what is needed, using simpler vocabulary.

manifestly inadequate

A more formal alternative, "manifestly" highlights the evident nature of the inadequacy.

unquestionably inadequate

Highlights that the inadequacy isn't questionable.

distinctly lacking

Replaces "insufficient" with "lacking", modifying it with "distinctly" for emphasis.

unmistakably deficient

Emphasizes the clear and obvious nature of the deficiency.

demonstrably inadequate

Indicates that the inadequacy can be proven or shown.

blatantly insufficient

Uses "blatantly" to highlight the obvious and often offensive nature of the insufficiency.

evidently not enough

A simpler rephrasing, focusing on the lack of sufficiency.

FAQs

How to use "plainly insufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "plainly insufficient" to describe something that is clearly inadequate or not enough to meet a certain requirement. For example, "The evidence presented in the case was plainly insufficient to support a conviction."

What can I say instead of "plainly insufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly inadequate", "patently deficient", or "obviously lacking" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "plainly insufficient" or "obviously insufficient"?

Both "plainly insufficient" and "obviously insufficient" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

What's the difference between "plainly insufficient" and "plainly inadequate"?

While both phrases are similar, "plainly inadequate" focuses more on the unacceptability or unsuitability of something, whereas "plainly insufficient" emphasizes the lack of enough quantity or quality.