was merely adequate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was merely adequate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something meets the minimum requirements or standards but does not exceed them. Example: "The service at the restaurant was merely adequate for our expectations, leaving us wanting more."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

But many of the other hitters were merely adequate for their positions, and Roger Clemens had a rough introduction to New York.

The New York Times

Pay special attention to the quality of memory foam since there are several grades available -- some are merely adequate while others are superb for their cushioning ability.

WikiHow

Black-truffle risotto is merely adequate, although firm peas and tender pea sprouts add a fresh touch.

The New York Times - Food

Thanks to the internet and a growing number of affordable tools, visualization is accessible for everyone but that convenience can lead to charts that are merely adequate or even ineffective.

Harvard Business Review

For a young singer it's often hard to recognise when a teacher is merely adequate.

The Guardian

FOR far too long — more than a dozen years — Thomas Bifulco's living conditions were merely adequate.

The New York Times

Most of the others are merely adequate and some are weak, like the tenor Iorio Zennaro.

The New York Times - Arts

Thanks to the internet and a growing number of affordable tools, visualization is accessible for everyone--but that convenience can lead to charts that are merely adequate or even ineffective.

Harvard Business Review

In my experience, most of them are merely adequate.

TechCrunch

Problem is, the Juke's being marketed as a music phone and as a music phone, it's merely adequate.

TechCrunch

How much money are you leaving on the table by delivering a customer experience that is merely adequate?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was merely adequate for" when you want to convey that something meets the minimum requirements but doesn't exceed them. Avoid using it when describing something truly exceptional.

Common error

Don't use "was merely adequate for" when describing something that is actually high-quality or impressive. This phrase is best reserved for situations where something is just 'okay' and not remarkable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was merely adequate for" functions as a descriptive expression, characterizing something as meeting the bare minimum requirements without being exceptional. It qualifies a noun or situation by indicating it reaches a baseline standard, in line with what Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Science

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Less common in

Wiki

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Encyclopedias

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was merely adequate for" is grammatically correct and serves to describe something that meets the minimum requirements without being exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts and can be replaced with alternatives like "was just sufficient for" or "was only satisfactory for". While versatile, it's best reserved for situations where something is just 'okay' and not remarkable. The lack of examples reflects that the phrase is not particularly frequent, but its meaning is clear and its usage is grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was simply adequate for

Similar to the original phrase, but with a stronger emphasis on simplicity or lack of extravagance.

was just sufficient for

Indicates the minimum level of acceptability or suitability.

was adequate and nothing more for

Explicitly states that something is only adequate and lacks any additional qualities.

was barely acceptable for

Emphasizes that something is only just acceptable, with little margin for error.

was minimally sufficient for

Highlights the bare minimum needed to meet requirements.

was only satisfactory for

Suggests a level of acceptability without being particularly impressive.

was good enough for

Indicates that something is adequate without needing to be excellent.

was passable for

Implies something meets a basic standard without being exceptional.

served its purpose for

Highlights the functionality of something being adequate for its intended use.

did the job for

More informal, suggesting something fulfilled its purpose adequately.

FAQs

How can I use "was merely adequate for" in a sentence?

You can use "was merely adequate for" to indicate that something met the minimum requirements but wasn't exceptional. For example, "The service at the hotel "was merely adequate for" our expectations, leaving us wanting more".

What are some alternatives to "was merely adequate for"?

Alternatives include "was just sufficient for", "was only satisfactory for", or "was good enough for", depending on the context.

Is "was merely adequate for" formal or informal?

"Was merely adequate for" is suitable for neutral to slightly formal contexts. It is not overly colloquial but can be used in professional writing.

What does it mean when something "was merely adequate for"?

It means that something met the minimum necessary requirements or standards but didn't exceed them. It implies a lack of excellence or impressiveness.