seems adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seems adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something appears to be sufficient or acceptable based on the information available. Example: "The proposed budget seems adequate for the project's needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Neither, statistically, seems adequate for a review.

Independent

Nothing else seems adequate for some reason.

The New Yorker

"What I do now seems adequate," she reasons.

The New York Times - Magazine

No other word seems adequate to describe their trysts in a Manhattan churchyard.

The New York Times - Books

The word "siege" no longer seems adequate to describe what is being done to Gaza.

The Guardian - Opinion

But now that "mixologists" and cocktails with multiple ingredients (and often complicated physical maneuvers!) are the norm at even my neighborhood bar, $1 no longer seems adequate.

The New York Times

One reason none of these suggested explanations seems adequate is that the word "drip" itself so pathetically conveys the zest and variety of Pollock's painterly gestures.

The Economist

Walk around any north Indian village where grain seems adequate, and stick-thin people offer evidence of how few nutrients are being absorbed.

The Economist

The old promise of homogenous European nation-states – that if you integrate, you'll enjoy the privilege of a society based on the concept of individual rights – no longer seems adequate, even if it can be fully redeemed.

The Guardian

And who, in the aftermath of these shocks, returns to Christianity, as the only framework he knows that seems adequate to the extremes of joy and fear he has undergone.

The New Yorker

In cases where romance did blossom, the tidy Shakespearean denouement hardly seems adequate: Was the woman exceptionally brazen for her time, risking rape or ridicule to initiate the seduction?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seems adequate" when you want to express a judgment based on available information without making an absolute claim. It implies a degree of uncertainty or a need for further evaluation.

Common error

Avoid using "seems adequate" when you possess conclusive evidence of something's sufficiency. In such cases, a more affirmative statement (e.g., "is sufficient") would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seems adequate" functions as a qualifying expression, softening a statement about the sufficiency of something. It introduces a degree of subjective assessment, suggesting that based on available information, something is likely sufficient. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seems adequate" is a versatile phrase used to express a tentative assessment of sufficiency or acceptability. As verified by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and finds frequent application across diverse fields, notably science and news media. While conveying a sense of sufficiency, it simultaneously acknowledges a degree of uncertainty, inviting further scrutiny or assessment. When aiming for a definitive statement, consider alternatives like "is sufficient", but when nuance and subjectivity are required, "seems adequate" remains a valuable tool.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appears satisfactory

Replaces "adequate" with "satisfactory", implying a level of acceptability that meets expectations.

appears sufficient

Substitutes "adequate" with "sufficient", indicating that something meets the necessary requirements.

presents as acceptable

Emphasizes the way something is perceived, indicating that it is seen as satisfactory.

is apparently suitable

Suggests that something seems to be appropriate for a particular purpose or situation.

looks to be enough

Uses more informal language, suggesting that something appears to meet a need or purpose.

is deemed acceptable

Indicates that something has been judged and found to be satisfactory.

is seemingly up to par

Implies that something is meeting a required standard or level of quality.

seems commensurate

Replaces both words with more formal synonyms, "commensurate", to convey a similar sentiment.

suggests competence

Focuses on the capability or skill implied, indicating that something appears capable and effective.

gives the impression of being qualified

Highlights the perceived qualifications or suitability of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "seems adequate" to express that something gives the impression of being sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. For example, "The budget "seems adequate" for the project's initial phase".

What are some alternatives to "seems adequate"?

Alternatives include "appears sufficient", "appears satisfactory", or "is deemed acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "seems adequate" or "is adequate"?

"Seems adequate" suggests a preliminary assessment based on current information, while "is adequate" implies a more definitive conclusion. Use "seems adequate" when you want to convey a degree of uncertainty or the need for further verification.

When is it inappropriate to use "seems adequate"?

It's less appropriate to use "seems adequate" when you have concrete evidence that something is definitively sufficient or when a stronger statement is needed to convey confidence or certainty.