very inadequate

USAGE SUMMARY

"very inadequate" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that is not sufficient or not up to a standard that is considered satisfactory. Example: "The resources allocated for the project were very inadequate to ensure its success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These two words seem very inadequate.

The New York Times - Sports

"The museum's revised text is very inadequate," she told me.

The New Yorker

"This is very inadequate," Ms. Whiteford, 76, said.

The New York Times

The current system is very inadequate in that regard".

The Guardian

"The materials they get are very inadequate," he said.

The New York Times

Wave! Wave!" I got out, feeling, at 15, very inadequate as a female greeter.

The New York Times - Travel

They are well reproduced, but the text and explanations of the figures are very inadequate.

Nature

Today, it has become very clear that BioThrax is both old and very inadequate.

The Guardian - Opinion

I felt very inadequate; I felt like I'd made the worst decision of my life.

The Guardian - Music

At times, you feel very inadequate that you can only do so much and no more".

The Guardian - Arts

He may have women friends he can talk to, but he'd feel very inadequate with a peer-group female".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very inadequate", consider if a more specific adjective might provide greater clarity and impact. For example, instead of "very inadequate security", try "lax security" or "insufficient security".

Common error

Avoid using "very inadequate" as a default intensifier. While grammatically correct, overuse can weaken your writing. Explore stronger, more precise synonyms like "deficient", "insufficient", or "lacking" to enhance the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very inadequate" functions as an intensified adjective phrase, modifying a noun to express a significant deficiency or insufficiency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very inadequate" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express that something is significantly insufficient or deficient. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable. While frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, it's crucial to consider stronger, more precise synonyms for enhanced clarity in formal writing. Always aim to provide specific details about what makes something inadequate to improve your writing's impact and persuasiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly insufficient

Emphasizes the degree of insufficiency, suggesting a significant shortfall.

completely deficient

Highlights the absence of something essential, implying a critical lack.

woefully lacking

Adds an element of regret or disappointment to the inadequacy.

pathetically poor

Stresses the low quality or standard, often evoking a sense of pity.

remarkably insufficient

Emphasizes the surprising or noteworthy degree of insufficiency.

grossly inadequate

Implies a severe level of inadequacy, often with ethical or moral implications.

terribly wanting

Focuses on the idea of something being desired or needed but missing to a great extent.

significantly limited

Indicates that something is restricted or constrained to a considerable degree.

distinctly underwhelming

Conveys a sense of disappointment because something fails to meet expectations.

far from satisfactory

Underlines that something does not reach the required or expected level of acceptability.

FAQs

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

You can use "very inadequate" to describe something that doesn't meet the required standard or is insufficient. For example, "The budget allocated for the project was "very inadequate"."

What are some alternatives to saying "very inadequate"?

Alternatives include "highly insufficient", "completely deficient", or "woefully lacking". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "inadequate" and "very inadequate"?

"Inadequate" means not good enough. Adding "very" emphasizes the degree of insufficiency, making ""very inadequate"" a stronger statement.

When is it better to use a stronger synonym instead of "very inadequate"?

In formal or professional writing, consider using a more precise and impactful synonym like "deficient", "insufficient", or "lacking". In less formal contexts, ""very inadequate"" is perfectly acceptable.