they were adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they were adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that meets a minimum standard or requirement, but does not exceed expectations. Example: "The results of the survey indicated that the services provided were adequate, but there is room for improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They were adequate.

The Guardian - Books

They were adequate but needed work.

The New York Times

At the time, we thought they were adequate.

The Guardian

Then the dishes started arriving, and they were adequate competition for the scene.

The New York Times - Food

Both my grandmothers were... let's just say they were adequate cooks.

The New York Times - Food

At a press conference, Mr Birch took complete responsibility for the security arrangements in the town but he insisted that they were adequate.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Proponents of other, less invasive, techniques say they are adequate.

The New York Times - Travel

The agency will sum up the cuts and see if they are adequate.

The New York Times

Some of the translations are a bit ragged, though they are adequate for most purposes.

The Guardian

Their catch efficiency was similar to conventional light traps, indicating that they are adequate sampling units.

Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology

They're adequate to the task, though the kitchen has opportunity for further invention.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they were adequate" when you want to express that something meets the minimum requirements without being outstanding. It's a neutral way to describe something that is just good enough. When using "they were adequate", make sure the context is clear about what standard is being met and why that level is acceptable.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "they were adequate" if more descriptive adjectives would provide a clearer picture. For example, instead of saying "the security measures were adequate", consider specifying whether "the security measures were sufficient to deter casual theft" or "the security measures needed improvement in high-risk areas".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they were adequate" functions as a descriptive statement, evaluating something as meeting a minimum standard or requirement. It's used to convey that while something is acceptable, it isn't necessarily exceptional.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "they were adequate" is used to describe something that meets a minimum requirement without being exceptional. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for various contexts, predominantly appearing in News & Media and Scientific domains. Alternatives include "they were satisfactory" or "they were sufficient". When using "they were adequate", ensure that it clearly communicates the fulfillment of a basic standard, and consider more descriptive language for a clearer picture when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they were satisfactory

Replaces "adequate" with a synonym suggesting a level of acceptance.

they were sufficient

Emphasizes that "they" met the necessary requirements.

they were passable

Implies a minimal level of acceptance or just getting by.

they were acceptable

Indicates that "they" met the criteria for being approved or allowed.

they were competent

Suggests "they" possessed the necessary skills or qualities.

they were reasonable

Indicates that "they" were fair or appropriate in the circumstances.

they were serviceable

Highlights that "they" were functional and able to perform their intended purpose.

they were tolerable

Suggests that "they" were barely acceptable, possibly with some reservations.

they were average

Indicates that "they" were neither particularly good nor particularly bad.

they were mediocre

Implies that "they" were of a low or barely acceptable quality.

FAQs

What does "they were adequate" mean?

The phrase "they were adequate" means that something met a minimum requirement or standard, but was not exceptional or outstanding. It indicates that something was sufficient, but there was room for improvement.

What can I say instead of "they were adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "they were satisfactory", "they were sufficient", or "they were passable" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "they were adequate" or "they were sufficient"?

Both "they were adequate" and "they were sufficient" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Sufficient" might imply a slightly stronger sense of meeting requirements completely, while "adequate" suggests meeting the bare minimum.

How to use "they were adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "they were adequate" to describe a variety of things, such as: "The preparations for the event were adequate, but more could have been done". Or: "The grandmother's cooking skills, let's just say "they were adequate" cooks.