strictly adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strictly adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or standards without exceeding them. Example: "The report was strictly adequate, providing just enough information to satisfy the basic requirements of the assignment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Case series, characterized by a low level of evidence, deserve publication only if the sample size and follow-up are strictly adequate.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

It is unfortunate that donors adopted the report as presented and approved by the donor representatives and implementing agencies, they assumed that evidence of evaluation and monitoring team were strictly adequate to justify the reports.

Financial Innovation

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In this regard, co-expression of IL-1Ra and VEGF improves human islet survival, which is strictly dependent upon adequate revascularization [119].

Plosone

This occurs because the oxidative burst function of neutrophils and the bacterial killing by alveolar macrophages, the primary defences against infection [ 55], both strictly depend on adequate oxygen tissue pressure [ 51, 56].

Critical Care

Domain decomposition is strictly dictated by the adequate representation of geometry and thermo-physical properties, while the approximation of the state variables in each finite element is mainly constrained to adequately simulate the thermal response of the system.

Composite Structures

If participants report on at least two areas of their life severe impairment (scores ≥ 7) [ 28], they will be excluded from the study and will be strictly referred to seek adequate professional help.

BMC Public Health

Tate said he had written to parents in July telling parents the dress code would be strictly enforced, and this was "adequate warning".

The Guardian

The antibiotic selection was considered to be adequate or inadequate strictly on the basis of the culture results obtained and did not reflect the authors' subjective assessment of appropriateness of care.

Critical Care

"If the Georgian leadership does not take concrete actions to destroy the terrorists, and bandit sorties continue from its territory," Mr. Putin wrote, "Russia, acting strictly under international law, will take adequate measures to oppose the terrorist threat".

The New York Times

Speaking strictly in performance terms, Mr. Taylor is perfectly adequate.

The New York Times - Arts

The randomization procedure will however strictly adhere to the formal requirements of adequate randomization at all times.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "strictly adequate" when you want to convey that something barely meets the necessary requirements or standards, without exceeding them. This is useful in contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "strictly adequate" when you mean something is more than sufficient or of high quality. The phrase implies a minimal level of acceptance, not excellence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "strictly adequate" is to act as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, to describe a noun. It specifies the extent to which something is sufficient, implying that it meets only the minimum requirements.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "strictly adequate" is used to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or standards, without exceeding them. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that this phrase, while grammatically correct, is relatively rare. Its primary function is as an adjectival modifier, typically found in neutral to formal contexts such as science, news media, and business. When a stronger or more nuanced meaning is desired, consider using alternative phrases such as "barely sufficient" or "minimally acceptable".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictly sufficient

Replaces "adequate" with "sufficient" maintaining a formal tone.

just adequate

Simple rephrasing using "just" to indicate a basic level of adequacy.

only just adequate

Adds emphasis to the minimal nature of the adequacy.

merely adequate

Focuses on the fact that something is only adequate, nothing more.

barely sufficient

Emphasizes the narrow margin by which something meets the requirement.

minimally acceptable

Highlights that something is at the lowest acceptable level.

adequately meeting minimum standards

Expands on the meaning to specify that minimum standards are met.

scarcely adequate

Emphasizes the lack of excess in meeting requirements.

hardly adequate

Similar to 'scarcely', suggesting a minimal level of adequacy.

sufficient but not exceptional

More descriptive, indicating adequacy without being outstanding.

FAQs

How to use "strictly adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "strictly adequate" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements without exceeding them. For example, "The report was "strictly adequate", providing just enough information to satisfy the basic assignment criteria."

What can I say instead of "strictly adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "barely sufficient", "minimally acceptable", or "just adequate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "strictly adequate" or "completely adequate"?

"Strictly adequate" suggests meeting the bare minimum requirements, while "completely adequate" implies that something fully meets the requirements and is satisfactory. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "strictly adequate" and "more than adequate"?

"Strictly adequate" means meeting the bare minimum, whereas "more than adequate" means exceeding the requirements or standards. They represent different levels of sufficiency.