was hardly sufficient for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was hardly sufficient for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something was not enough or inadequate for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The funding provided was hardly sufficient for the project's requirements, leading to delays in completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I found her explanation, such as it was, hardly sufficient for someone serving in her diplomatic capacity and with an eye on the presidency.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

That is hardly sufficient for a system that needs strong new checks and balances.

The New York Times

Her wish to continue a musical education is hardly sufficient, for competent instructors might be found elsewhere.

Stanford University

But just picking winners and losers is hardly sufficient for a president who sees himself as world-historical.

The Washington Post

The quantity of rain and its distribution is hardly sufficient for raising the traditional grain crops.

Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice

Some medical residencies offer 1 year of research, but this is hardly sufficient for a meaningful postdoctoral experience.

Science Magazine

Furthermore, while giving all the morphological features published earlier for NB [1] [6], the material generated after this long period of incubation would have been hardly sufficient for any biochemical characterization.

Plosone

That was hardly sufficient cause for St. Stephen to refuse its neighbor.

Los Angeles Times

The American contribution, though immense, was hardly sufficient, and hardly alone.

The New Yorker

Mr. Feinberg said that after-the-fact approach was hardly sufficient.

The New York Times

So, though necessary, luck was hardly sufficient.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was hardly sufficient for", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was insufficient for. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using overly dramatic language with "was hardly sufficient for" if the situation only requires a mild expression of inadequacy. Choose a more nuanced phrase if the insufficiency is not severe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was hardly sufficient for" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something did not meet the required standard or amount. It highlights a deficiency or inadequacy, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was hardly sufficient for" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey that something was inadequate or fell short of meeting a particular requirement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's found most commonly in news, scientific, and academic contexts. While alternatives exist, this phrase provides a nuanced way to express insufficiency. Use it when you want to emphasize that something noticeably lacked what was needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was barely adequate for

Emphasizes the marginal adequacy of something, implying it just meets the minimum requirement.

was scarcely enough for

Highlights the limited quantity or quality, suggesting it's only just enough.

was almost inadequate for

Indicates a near state of inadequacy, implying a slight deficiency.

was just not up to the task of

Focuses on the inability to fulfill a specific purpose or requirement.

did not quite measure up for

Suggests a failure to reach the required standard or expectation.

was far from adequate for

Stresses a significant gap between what is available and what is needed.

fell short of what was needed for

Emphasizes the lack of necessary qualities or resources for a specific purpose.

was not remotely enough for

Highlights the extreme insufficiency of something in meeting a requirement.

proved wholly unequal to

Indicates a complete lack of suitability or capability for a particular task.

was a long way from being sufficient for

Suggests a significant distance from the required level or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "was hardly sufficient for" in a sentence?

Use "was hardly sufficient for" to express that something was inadequate or not enough to meet a particular need or requirement. For example, "The budget allocated "was hardly sufficient for" the extensive repairs needed."

What are some alternatives to "was hardly sufficient for"?

Alternatives include "was barely adequate for", "was scarcely enough for", or "was almost inadequate for", which convey similar meanings of inadequacy.

Is it better to say "was hardly sufficient for" or "was insufficient for"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "was hardly sufficient for" adds a subtle emphasis on the degree of insufficiency. "Was insufficient for" is more direct, while "was hardly sufficient for" implies something fell noticeably short.

Can "was hardly sufficient for" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "was hardly sufficient for" is appropriate for formal writing, including academic papers and reports. It clearly expresses a lack of adequacy in a professional and understandable way.