totally insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally insufficient" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It describes something that is completely inadequate or not enough. Example: The amount of food provided for the event was totally insufficient for the number of guests, causing many to leave hungry.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"That's totally insufficient.

The New York Times - Sports

"The evidence is totally insufficient to support a conviction".

The New York Times

"The amount of compensation being offered is totally insufficient".

Independent

Ofcom criticised Channel TV's procedures as "absent or totally insufficient and ineffective".

The Guardian

The Belgian government rejected the proposal, with the public enterprises minister, Rik Daems, calling the plan totally insufficient.

The New York Times

The current military deployment is totally insufficient, and African Union peacekeepers on the ground, who lack basic resources, are unable to ensure the protection of civilians.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I totally agree with the report's conclusion that the judicial response to the violations has, so far, been wholly insufficient.

Huffington Post

And it is entirely insufficient.

The New Yorker

Follow KApology Twitter: @katieengelhart.

Vice

This may have been insufficient to totally wash out rosiglitazone, which may require a longer period of study medication.

Diabetes Care

The mixture of 100 ng ZM/L and 50 ng EE2/L reversed the change for several genes affected by EE2 alone, but at this 2 1 ratio the antiestrogen concentration seemed insufficient to totally block the effects of EE2.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "totally insufficient", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being deemed inadequate. Specificity strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "totally insufficient" when a milder term like "insufficient" or "inadequate" would suffice. Overuse can dilute the impact and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally insufficient" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. "Totally" modifies and strengthens the adjective "insufficient", indicating a complete lack of adequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

28%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally insufficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to express that something is completely inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from various reliable sources, including news media, scientific publications, and online encyclopedias. While the phrase is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid overstating the inadequacy. Related phrases like "completely inadequate" or "utterly deficient" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely inadequate

Replaces "insufficient" with a synonym and "totally" with a synonym maintaining the original meaning.

entirely inadequate

Uses "entirely" as a synonym for "totally" emphasizing the completeness of the inadequacy.

utterly deficient

Substitutes both words with near synonyms that still highlight the extreme lack.

wholly inadequate

Similar to "entirely inadequate", but uses "wholly" to intensify the inadequacy.

patently deficient

Implies the inadequacy is obvious or clear, adding a layer of visibility to the insufficiency.

manifestly inadequate

Similar to 'patently deficient', indicating that the inadequacy is clearly apparent or evident.

absolutely lacking

Shifts the focus to the absence of something, instead of the insufficiency.

woefully lacking

Adds a sense of regret or sadness to the lack, implying the insufficiency is unfortunate.

not nearly enough

Expresses the inadequacy in terms of quantity, suggesting a need for more.

falls far short

Uses a more idiomatic expression to indicate that something doesn't meet the required standard or expectation.

FAQs

What does "totally insufficient" mean?

The phrase "totally insufficient" means completely inadequate or not enough. It emphasizes that something is entirely lacking in the necessary qualities or amount.

How can I use "totally insufficient" in a sentence?

You can use "totally insufficient" to describe anything that doesn't meet a required standard or amount. For instance, "The funds allocated for the project were "totally insufficient" to cover all the expenses".

Are there synonyms for "totally insufficient"?

Yes, alternatives include "completely inadequate", "entirely inadequate", or "utterly deficient". These phrases similarly convey a sense of complete lack or inadequacy.

Is it better to say "insufficient" or "totally insufficient"?

The choice depends on the degree of inadequacy you want to express. "Insufficient" simply means 'not enough', while "totally insufficient" emphasizes that something is completely and utterly lacking. Use "totally insufficient" when you want to stress the severity of the inadequacy.