utterly inadequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly inadequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is completely lacking in quality or sufficient in quantity. Example: The government's response to the natural disaster was utterly inadequate, leaving thousands of people without aid for weeks.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The word "tall" seems utterly inadequate.

The Guardian - Sport

Oversight was utterly inadequate on every aspect of the project.

The Guardian

Yet the best aspirations for Durban look utterly inadequate.

The Guardian

And so our response to the crisis has been utterly inadequate.

The New York Times

Air pollution in Australia is woefully regulated and the current measures are utterly inadequate.

The Guardian

Despite the dedicated efforts of many professionals, the response to the hunger crisis remains utterly inadequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Many comments found both arguments utterly and obviously inadequate.

The New York Times

Commons Speaker John Bercow said "the administration of this matter has been woefully inadequate and frankly utterly incompetent" while shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy said it was "a shameful way to behave".

BBC

"At a time of rising demand, staffing shortages and reports of widespread inadequate care, it is utterly appalling that half of mental health services did not receive the increase in their budgets they were promised".

The Guardian

Many local systems are so old and inadequate — in some cases, so utterly rotten — that they are overwhelmed by heavy rain.

The New York Times

Even this analogy is inadequate, however: The Persians was performed in a serious civic event, utterly embedded in the ritual, political and military life of the city.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly inadequate" to express a strong sense of deficiency or lack. It's suitable when you want to emphasize that something is completely not good enough or sufficient for a particular purpose or situation.

Common error

While "utterly inadequate" is acceptable in many contexts, consider using more formal alternatives like "completely insufficient" or "entirely deficient" in academic or highly professional settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly inadequate" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun, emphasizing the extreme degree to which something is insufficient or lacking. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Many examples demonstrate its use to express strong criticism or dissatisfaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Opinion

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly inadequate" is a correct and frequently used adjective phrase expressing a strong sense of deficiency. As Ludwig AI points out, it is commonly used to describe something completely lacking in quality or quantity. Predominantly found in news and opinion contexts, the phrase serves to strongly criticize or disapprove of something failing to meet expectations. While versatile, writers should be mindful of using more formal alternatives in academic or highly professional contexts. Alternatives such as "completely insufficient" or "entirely deficient" offer similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis. The phrase is generally neutral in register, making it suitable for a wide range of communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely insufficient

Emphasizes the lack of necessary quantity or degree.

entirely deficient

Highlights a complete absence of necessary qualities.

totally unacceptable

Focuses on the unsuitability or inappropriateness of something.

woefully lacking

Suggests a regrettable and significant shortage.

patently unsatisfactory

Indicates an obvious failure to meet requirements.

manifestly unfit

Stresses a clear and evident lack of suitability.

thoroughly unsuited

Highlights a comprehensive lack of appropriateness.

absolutely not up to par

Emphasizes a failure to meet an expected standard.

decidedly unequal to the task

Focuses on the inability to fulfill a specific requirement.

nowhere near enough

Implies a significant distance from the required amount or level.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly inadequate" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly inadequate" to describe something that is completely lacking or insufficient. For example, "The response to the crisis was "utterly inadequate"."

What are some alternatives to "utterly inadequate"?

Alternatives include "completely insufficient", "entirely deficient", or "totally unacceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "totally inadequate" instead of "utterly inadequate"?

Yes, "totally inadequate" is a perfectly acceptable and similar alternative to "utterly inadequate". Both phrases convey a sense of complete insufficiency.

What's the difference between "inadequate" and "utterly inadequate"?

Adding "utterly" intensifies the meaning of "inadequate", emphasizing that something is not just insufficient but completely and definitively so. "Inadequate" alone suggests a lesser degree of deficiency.