scarcely adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "scarcely adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is barely sufficient or not enough to meet a certain standard or requirement. Example: "The resources provided for the project were scarcely adequate to achieve the desired outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The word exotic is scarcely adequate to describe the sheer strangeness of Benjamin Disraeli within the 19th-century British political establishment, or indeed within its social life.

The Guardian - Books

These have generally been considered masterpieces of abstract, "absolute" music, wonders of pure melody, harmony and counterpoint, conjured from means scarcely adequate to the task.

The New York Times - Arts

How long before my own job is being done, for a fraction of my scarcely adequate salary, by an Indian in Bangalore?

The Economist

In the center of Dublin, the Abbey occupies a squat concrete building that is widely acknowledged as unglamorous for a national institution and scarcely adequate for the needs of a high school auditorium, let alone a busy, world-renowned theater.

The New York Times

The inmates of the Soviet labour camps were inadequately clothed for the severe Russian climate, and the standard rations of bread and soup were scarcely adequate to maintain life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The complexity of the phenomena involved, augmented by the heterogeneity and stochasticity of the media in which transport occurs, renders classical analytical-numerical approaches scarcely adequate for realistic representation of the system of interest.

Annals of Nuclear Energy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The moon was out, but there were clouds enough that the light was scarcely more than adequate.

Vice

The current situation for older persons with mental disorders has scarcely been studied and questions have been raised as to whether or not older persons with extensive needs receive adequate care and treatment.

BMC Psychiatry

Now scarcely 10 per cent are.

Independent

Mr. Tanimoto scarcely answered.

The New Yorker

But it scarcely matters.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "scarcely adequate" with a phrase specifying the deficiency. For example, "The budget was scarcely adequate to cover all expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "scarcely adequate" when something is completely insufficient. The phrase implies a small degree of suitability, not a total absence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcely adequate" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something only just meets a certain requirement or standard. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcely adequate" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to describe something that barely meets a requirement. Analysis of examples from Ludwig indicates its frequent use in news, media and scientific contexts. While often interchangeable with alternatives like "barely sufficient" or "hardly adequate", the specific nuance of "scarcely adequate" implies a marginal but present level of sufficiency. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for formal writing, emphasizing the importance of using it correctly to avoid overstating the degree of inadequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scarcely sufficient

A more formal synonym, emphasizing the limited supply or capacity.

barely sufficient

Focuses on the minimal level of sufficiency, often implying a lack of comfort or excess.

hardly adequate

Emphasizes the lack of adequacy, suggesting a stronger degree of insufficiency.

just enough

Highlights the bare minimum required, suitable for simpler contexts.

minimally acceptable

Stresses the barely passing standard, often used in formal assessments.

only just adequate

Adds emphasis to the marginal nature of the adequacy.

almost insufficient

Highlights the near inadequacy of something, suggesting it's close to not being enough.

hardly meeting requirements

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing failure to fulfill the requirements.

thinly stretched

Suggests resources or capabilities are used to their limit and are likely to fail.

cutting it close

An informal expression that conveys nearly reaching a limit or threshold.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcely adequate" in a sentence?

Use "scarcely adequate" to describe something that is barely sufficient or meets the minimum requirement. For example: "The funding was "scarcely adequate" for the research project."

What phrases can I use instead of "scarcely adequate"?

Alternatives to "scarcely adequate" include "barely sufficient", "hardly adequate", or "just enough", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "scarcely adequate" and "inadequate"?

"Scarcely adequate" implies something is just barely meeting a need, whereas "inadequate" suggests it is completely insufficient. "Scarcely adequate" is a milder term.

What's the difference between "scarcely adequate" and "sufficient"?

"Sufficient" means enough to meet the requirements. "Scarcely adequate" implies that something only just meets the requirements, with little or no room to spare. The first one is positive while the second has a negative connotation.