that was insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something did not meet the required standard or expectation. Example: "The report you submitted was lacking in detail; that was insufficient for our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

There are two reasons that was insufficient for the Republicans.

The New York Times

The internal review concluded that the report "did not meet accepted quality standards" and "relied on a body of testimonial evidence that was insufficient or inconclusive".

The New York Times

One-quarter of the 7-year-olds had an antibody response to diphtheria that was insufficient to protect against infection, and they had a 16.5percentt decrease in response to the tetanus vaccination for each doubling of the cumulative PCB exposure.

The New York Times - Science

In the end the TFF decided to suspend the Super League for one week, a decision that was insufficient from the beginning and made even more hollow by the fact that the game between Besiktas and Basaksehir was allowed to take place that same night and that the lower leagues were allowed to carry on playing.

The Guardian - Sport

The poor solubility of Form B resulted in a significant reduction in the oral exposure from a nanosuspension to a level that was insufficient for toxicological evaluation of compound 1.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Among responders to CBZ, 27% of patients incurred in adverse events that directly caused interruption of treatment by the physician or a dosage reduction to a level that was insufficient to control pain, thus causing discontinuation, after a mean period of 8.6 months.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"From our point of view, that's insufficient," he said.

The New York Times

People have been wasting hours in queues to collect small amounts of cash that are insufficient for normal activity.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's not that the older sister's behaviour didn't cause hurt, but it is a story that is insufficient.

The Guardian - Books

Food intake that is insufficient to meet dietary energy requirements continuously.

FAO

Note the "probably:" That's insufficient grounds for extrajudicial execution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was insufficient" to clearly and directly express that something failed to meet a necessary requirement or standard. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, ensuring your message is easily understood.

Common error

While it might be tempting to use more elaborate language, remember that clarity is key. Replacing "that was insufficient" with overly complex synonyms can confuse your audience and dilute your message. Simple, direct language is often more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was insufficient" functions as a judgmental statement, typically following an event or action. It evaluates whether the preceding subject met the required standard or fulfilled a necessary condition. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

48%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was insufficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a deficiency or failure to meet a required standard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. The phrase is versatile, appearing across various contexts such as news, science, and formal business settings, as well as more informal conversations. While alternatives like "that was inadequate" or "that was not enough" exist, "that was insufficient" provides a clear and direct way to communicate a lack of adequacy. Therefore, use it confidently, remembering clarity and simplicity are often the most effective strategies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was inadequate

Replaces 'insufficient' with 'inadequate', suggesting a slightly stronger degree of deficiency.

that was not enough

A more straightforward and common way of expressing the same meaning.

that proved to be lacking

Emphasizes the result of something being insufficient after a period or test.

that fell short

Suggests a failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

that didn't suffice

Uses 'suffice' to indicate that something was not adequate or enough.

that was deficient

Highlights a specific lack or absence of something needed.

that was unavailing

Implies that the effort or resource was ultimately ineffective.

that was not up to par

Indicates that something didn't meet the expected level or quality.

that was below expectations

Focuses on the discrepancy between the outcome and what was anticipated.

that didn't cut it

An informal expression meaning that something was not good enough.

FAQs

How can I use "that was insufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "that was insufficient" to indicate something did not meet the required standard or expectation. For example: "The initial investment proved promising, but ultimately "that was insufficient" to cover the project's expenses."

What are some alternatives to "that was insufficient"?

Alternatives include "that was inadequate", "that was not enough", or "that fell short" depending on the context.

Is "that was insufficient" formal or informal?

"That was insufficient" is generally considered suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality allows for wide application, though more casual options exist.

What's the difference between "that was insufficient" and "that was inadequate"?

While both phrases are very similar, "that was insufficient" implies a lack of quantity or degree required for a specific purpose. "That was inadequate" might suggest a more general deficiency in quality or ability.