was not sensitive enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"was not sensitive enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where someone's reactions or actions lacked the necessary sensitivity needed for a particular situation. For example: "When the teacher found out about the student's difficult home life, her response was not sensitive enough, leaving the student feeling embarrassed and unheard."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the selA-based assay was not sensitive enough to detect Tet in the SciTox assay.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

In addition, they said, the memory test was not sensitive enough to pick up subtle changes.

The New York Times

But Meyerhoffer quickly discovered that the device was not sensitive enough to meet his specifications.

The New York Times - Sports

Transesophageal echocardiography was not sensitive enough to diagnose pulmonary valve defects in 12 of 13 patients with anomalies.

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia

Based on the model's evaluation, the predicted value of pecky rice damage, when compared with the observed value, was not sensitive enough for a quantitative prediction.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

"The old Orthochromatic film, which had been used since the birth of the film industry, was not sensitive enough to properly record faces under the new lighting".

The New Yorker

In a sometimes defensive appearance on Thursday, Ms. Rawlings-Blake offered a heated rebuttal to criticism that she was not sensitive enough to the city's poor and had not done enough to rein in police misconduct.

The New York Times

However, the analysis of VFA by the cheap titration method was not sensitive enough.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Importantly, however, that method was not sensitive enough to discriminate between healthy non-smokers and healthy smokers.

EJNMMI Research

With the G# reference, it was not sensitive enough to detect differences between the various mappings being investigated.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

However, it is possible that the between-participants design of Experiment 1 simply was not sensitive enough to detect differences between the single- and dual-task conditions.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not sensitive enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what aspect lacked sensitivity, whether it's a person's behavior, a measurement tool, or a method's effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "was not sensitive enough" without specifying the subject and context. Overgeneralizations can lead to confusion. Instead of saying "the test was not sensitive enough", specify "the memory test "was not sensitive enough" to pick up subtle changes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not sensitive enough" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a deficiency in the level of sensitivity required for a particular situation or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms this is appropriate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

15%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not sensitive enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a lack of required sensitivity or precision. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Its primary function is to describe a limitation, with usage spanning from scientific contexts, where it describes the inadequacy of methods or tools, to general discourse, where it critiques a lack of empathy. While adaptable in register, it appears most often in scientific and formal contexts, emphasizing the importance of specifying what lacks sensitivity to avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacked the required sensitivity

Formal and emphasizes the absence of necessary sensitivity.

was not perceptive enough

Emphasizes a lack of insight or understanding.

was not attentive enough

Focuses more on a lack of attention or mindfulness, rather than sensitivity.

was not discerning enough

Highlights a failure in making fine distinctions or judgments.

did not have enough precision

Focuses on the lack of exactness or accuracy.

was not responsive enough

Indicates a lack of reaction or adaptation to a situation.

failed to register subtleties

Highlights the inability to notice or understand delicate aspects.

was not sharp enough

Emphasizes a lack of keenness or acuity.

was not sufficient

Highlights a lack of the necessary amount or degree.

was not adequate

Indicates that something does not meet the requirements.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was not sensitive enough"?

You can use alternatives such as "was not attentive enough", "lacked the required sensitivity", or "was not perceptive enough", depending on the context.

In what contexts is "was not sensitive enough" commonly used?

This phrase is frequently used in scientific research to describe the limitations of measurement tools or methods. It is also used in social commentary to criticize a person's lack of empathy or awareness.

Is "was not sensitive enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "was not sensitive enough" is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both formal and informal writing.

Can "was not sensitive enough" be used to describe both people and things?

Yes, it can describe a person's behavior or attitude, as well as the limitations of a device, method, or analysis. For example, "The politician "was not sensitive enough" to the concerns of the community" or "The instrument "was not sensitive enough" to detect subtle changes."