very adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very adequate" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used to emphasize that something is more than just adequate, but it is often better to choose a more precise adjective. Example: "The solution provided was very adequate for our needs, but we were hoping for something more innovative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We have very adequate means to find out whether infiltration is taking place or not".

The New York Times

Have the correspondents considered how their very adequate salaries are paid?

The Guardian

They lived on very adequate means and had a succession of beautiful high-spirited children - 16 in all.

The New Yorker

"The industry feels that the current packet of regulation, along with the E.U. directive, is one of the strictest in the world and is very adequate".

The New York Times

But the zoo's main restaurant complex had a very adequate section of actual pasta, the usual fast foods with chips, sandwiches and even boxed salads and fresh fruit.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's not the first time we've seen it, and it's just another way to monetise stolen data – there is no honour among thieves and this is a very adequate demonstration of that".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

A sample passage: "Unfortunately there are very few adequate support groups which provide some form of guidance and counsel for Black students having difficulty making the transition from their home environments to Princeton's environment.

The New Yorker

Although discussion of the possibilities of why we observed such varying expressions of S100B protein between the platforms of Western blot and ELISA is a very noteworthy, adequate analysis is beyond the scope of this paper.

Plosone

Counselors were certified if their MI skills during the role play were scored as adequate, very good or excellent (competence rating: (1) Very poor; (2) Poor; (3) Adequate; (4) Very Good; and (5) Excellent).

BMC Oral Health

Robert Berthold Jr., a Harman lawyer, said, "Massey kept us in protracted litigation for an extended period of time and we feel the jury entered a very fair and adequate award".

The New York Times

This database is the most recent and very suitable for adequate fragility analysis.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a formal or scientific tone, consider using stronger synonyms like "sufficient" or "appropriate" to enhance precision and avoid redundancy. For example, instead of saying "The data was "very adequate" for the analysis", prefer to say "The data was sufficient for the analysis".

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "very" to modify "adequate" can sometimes sound redundant or less impactful. Consider replacing the phrase with a more descriptive adjective to convey a stronger sense of suitability. Alternatives like "quite sufficient" or "thoroughly satisfactory" might offer more nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very adequate" functions primarily as an adjective phrase used to describe a noun. It indicates that something meets the required standard or level, and the addition of "very" intensifies this sense of suitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very adequate" functions as an adjective phrase to express that something meets a requirement or standard to a more than acceptable degree. While grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, including Science and News & Media, Ludwig AI suggests considering stronger synonyms such as "quite sufficient" or "thoroughly satisfactory" to enhance precision and avoid potential redundancy. The phrase holds a neutral register, making it appropriate for both professional and general communication. As the examples illustrate, the best practice is to ensure its usage adds meaningful emphasis to the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quite sufficient

Emphasizes sufficiency without redundancy, offering a more concise alternative.

more than sufficient

Highlights that something exceeds the level of adequacy, providing an amplified sense of suitability.

amply adequate

Similar to "more than sufficient", but uses "amply" to convey a sense of abundance or completeness.

perfectly acceptable

Focuses on the acceptability of something, suggesting it meets requirements without necessarily exceeding them.

thoroughly satisfactory

Indicates a high level of satisfaction, implying that something meets all expectations.

entirely suitable

Highlights the suitability of something for a particular purpose, emphasizing its appropriateness.

highly satisfactory

Similar to "thoroughly satisfactory", but uses "highly" for emphasis, enhancing the sense of contentment.

fully acceptable

Stresses the full acceptance of something, suggesting it meets all criteria without reservation.

well-suited

Focuses on the appropriateness of something for a particular role or situation, emphasizing its compatibility.

eminently qualified

Highlights the qualifications of someone or something, suggesting they possess the necessary attributes to a high degree.

FAQs

What does "very adequate" mean?

The phrase "very adequate" suggests that something meets the necessary requirements or standards to a degree that is more than just acceptable. It indicates a state of being sufficiently good or suitable for a particular purpose.

How can I use "very adequate" in a sentence?

You can use "very adequate" to describe something that is sufficient or suitable. For example: "The budget allocated was "quite sufficient" for the project's initial phase." or "The resources available were "more than sufficient" to address the immediate needs."

What are some alternatives to saying "very adequate"?

Alternatives to "very adequate" include "quite sufficient", "amply adequate", "more than sufficient", or "perfectly acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "very adequate" redundant?

While not strictly redundant, "very adequate" can sometimes sound less impactful than using a stronger synonym. Consider whether the "very" adds meaningful emphasis or if a more descriptive adjective like "sufficient" or "satisfactory" would be more effective.