was inadequate to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was inadequate to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something did not meet a required standard or expectation. Example: "The funding provided was inadequate to cover the project's expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said Dr. ElBaradei agreed that the resolution was "inadequate to the report he had prepared".

The New York Times

QoL was the first endpoint and the statistical power was inadequate to assess other parameters.

Lung Cancer

When Landsbanki collapsed, the insurance scheme was inadequate to cover its debts.

The Economist

Dr. Lerner added that the group concluded that current data was inadequate to prove that link.

The New York Times

Last week city officials acknowledged for the first time that the reservoir system was inadequate to meet the city's needs.

The New York Times

They argued instead that intelligence spending authorized in the measure, whose total remains classified, was inadequate to the country's needs.

The New York Times

Firstly, there was the failure to recognise that its light touch regime was inadequate to the task.

The Guardian

Cyprus' banks were so big that its national deposit insurance scheme was inadequate to protect insured depositors.

The New York Times

Argentina was experiencing a boom in Internet start-up companies, which the infrastructure was inadequate to support.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The thermodynamic theory of the glass transition (i.e. the Couchman-Karasz equation) was inadequate to describe fully the plasticizing effect of water on the films.

Polymer

With the economic reforms of the late 1980s, however, the government recognized that this structure was inadequate to attract badly needed foreign trade and investment.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was inadequate to", ensure that the context clearly identifies what standard or requirement was not met. For instance, "The budget was inadequate to cover all the necessary expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "was inadequate to" when a simpler, more direct adjective would suffice. Overusing this phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or verbose. Instead of "The response was inadequate to the challenge", consider "The response was insufficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was inadequate to" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject and indicating its insufficiency or unsuitability for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI points out, it implies a deficiency in meeting a specific standard or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was inadequate to" is a versatile expression used to convey that something did not meet a required standard or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic content. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "was insufficient for" or "fell short of", the choice depends on the specific nuance and context. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity in specifying what standard or requirement was not met, while also avoiding overuse to maintain a concise and effective writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was insufficient for

Focuses on a lack of quantity or degree needed for a specific purpose or requirement.

fell short of

Implies that something failed to reach a desired level or outcome.

was unsuited for

Highlights the inappropriateness of something for a particular role or function.

did not suffice for

Indicates a lack of ability to meet a particular need or requirement.

was not up to par for

Indicates failure to meet a required standard or expectation.

was deficient in

Focuses on a specific lack or absence of a necessary quality or component.

was not equal to

Emphasizes a discrepancy in quality or ability when compared to something else.

was not capable of

Highlights the inability of something to perform a certain task or function effectively.

was not designed for

Suggests that something was not intended or created for a specific purpose.

was not good enough for

A more informal way of saying something didn't meet the required standard.

FAQs

How can I use "was inadequate to" in a sentence?

You can use "was inadequate to" to express that something didn't meet a specific need, standard, or requirement. For example, "The funding "was inadequate to" complete the project."

What are some alternatives to "was inadequate to"?

Alternatives include "was insufficient for", "fell short of", or "was unsuited for", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was inadequate to" or "was insufficient for"?

Both "was inadequate to" and "was insufficient for" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey and the overall style of your writing. "Insufficient" often implies a measurable lack, while "inadequate" can suggest a broader deficiency.

Can "was inadequate to" be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "was inadequate to" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "was not enough for" might be more appropriate.