was adequate enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was adequate enough" is not considered correct in standard written English due to redundancy.
You can use it when discussing the sufficiency of something, but it is better to avoid the phrase. Example: "The support provided was adequate enough to meet our needs."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"D.E.C. was not going to address it in a way that was adequate enough for industry," he said, adding, "The governor recognized the legitimate inequities in the proposal that D.E.C. had put on the street and was very concerned about undue cost on business".

The New York Times

A large compartment on the outside was adequate enough for books and magazines and a pair of flip-flops.

TechCrunch

Assessment of the global fit indices indicated that the model was adequate enough to warrant interpretation of both the measurement and structural parts of the model.

International Journal of STEM Education

Greene was a minus-four in Game 2 against San Jose but was adequate enough in Game 7. "I don't think we're going to question his effort; with Greener, his effort is going to be there all the time," Sutter said.

Los Angeles Times

Although the survey only sampled 228 women, it was adequate enough to give an insight into the need to identify women who refuse blood transfusion.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The real question raised by this report," Dr. Mellon added, "is whether a rickety system that hasn't been very rigorous but probably has served well enough to date is adequate enough to take us into the future".

The New York Times

"While these initiatives represent a step in the right direction, they clearly have not been adequate enough, as is evidenced by the dramatic decline in profitability and underperformance compared to peers," Jeffrey C. Smith, Starboard's chief executive, wrote in the letter.

The New York Times

It's adequate enough but, rewatching those initial episodes, it's hard not to wonder just how good the story could have been had Firefly been allowed a whole season or two.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Smith of the miners' union and others insist that there are communications systems that, while not perfect, would be adequate enough of the time to help miners stuck underground.

The New York Times

But with the basic pension scheduled to dwindle to a financial irrelevance, the government may have to reconsider whether its plans for secondary pensions are adequate enough: "They may have to revisit the issue of compulsion," says Andrew Dilnot, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies.For the moment, Labour's eyes are fixed firmly on the short-term politics of pensions.

The Economist

While point-and-click enthusiasts may notice a reduced level of obtuse brain-twisters that defined the genre's popularity in the 90s, the level of challenge is adequate enough and the simple interface and inventory system help to reinforce a tone that steadily wavers between emotional poignancy and quirky, light-hearted comedy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using both "adequate" and "enough" together. Choose the word that best suits the context, or rephrase for clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Using "adequate enough" can make your writing sound repetitive and less professional. Opt for "was adequate" or "was sufficient" for a more streamlined and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was adequate enough" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something met a minimum requirement or standard. It aims to express sufficiency, though Ludwig AI flags the phrase as redundant.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was adequate enough" is understandable, it's generally considered redundant and stylistically weak. Ludwig AI points out that the use of both "adequate" and "enough" together is unnecessary because "adequate" already implies sufficiency. Therefore, opting for the more concise "was adequate" or "was sufficient" is advisable, especially in formal writing. Although examples can be found in various sources like News & Media and Science, prioritizing clarity and conciseness will enhance the overall quality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sufficient

Omits "enough", resulting in a more concise and grammatically sound expression of sufficiency.

was adequate

Removes "enough" for a clearer, more direct statement of adequacy.

was satisfactory

Replaces "adequate" with "satisfactory", indicating that the requirement was met acceptably.

was ample

Substitutes "adequate" with "ample", suggesting there was more than enough.

was fitting

Indicates that something was suitable or appropriate in a particular situation.

was reasonable

Conveys that something was fair and acceptable in the given circumstances.

was decent

Indicates that something was of an acceptable or satisfactory standard.

was good enough

Maintains the "enough" but replaces "adequate" with "good", which is more informal.

was accurate enough

Specifies that the level of accuracy met requirements, applicable when precision is key.

was suitable

Replaces "adequate" to mean appropriate for a specific purpose.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "was adequate enough"?

No, the phrase "was adequate enough" is considered redundant. "Adequate" already implies sufficiency, so adding "enough" is unnecessary. It's better to use either "was adequate" or "was sufficient".

What can I say instead of "was adequate enough"?

You can use alternatives like "was sufficient", "was adequate", "was satisfactory", or "was ample", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "was adequate" or "was adequate enough"?

"Was adequate" is the correct and preferred form. Adding "enough" makes the phrase redundant and less grammatically sound.

When is it acceptable to use "was adequate enough"?

While technically incorrect, "was adequate enough" might be used in informal speech. However, in formal writing, it is best to avoid this phrase and use "was adequate" or "was sufficient" instead.