was probably inadequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was probably inadequate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that something was probably not sufficient. For example, "The amount of preparation we did for the meeting was probably inadequate."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Second, 8 weeks of immobilization was probably inadequate in a 12-year-old boy resulting in the hypertrophic nonunion of the ulna.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Despite an extensive vasoregression, hypoxia and instructive VEGF regulations were absent in this model, while some neurotrophins were upregulated, suggesting that a. the response to injury was probably inadequate, and b. other mechanisms are involved in the extensive vasoregressive process.

Plosone

These studies are difficult to evaluate because in most, the compression rate was considerably greater than 20/min, so that 'diastolic' refilling of the splanchnic bed was probably inadequate resulting in limited flow under zone 2 conditions coming from non-hepatic viscera with long emptying time constants.

Plosone

It should be pointed out, however, that the amount of bacteria administered in the three latter studies was probably inadequate; the daily doses of bacteria were only 5 10% of the daily dose administered in our study.

Critical Care

Because most studies relied on the ICD-9 coding system to identify study populations and outcomes, the ascertainment of type 2 diabetes, and particularly pancreatitis, was probably inadequate because of the variation of diagnosis criteria and lack of outcome adjudication.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Those calculations are probably inadequate.

The New Yorker

Desperation is probably inadequate as an explanation of how one day I came to be telling one of my teachers the plot of "High Noon".

The New Yorker

But it is probably inadequate: the Republican response has ranged from lukewarm to hostile.There is a certain logic to Mr Obama's proposals.

The Economist

Considering that Beidou satellite navigation system (BDS) consists of geostationary earth orbit (GEO), inclined geosynchronous satellite orbit (IGSO) and medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites operating in different orbits with different heights, only one model being used in stochastic modeling is probably inadequate, which is the usual case for Global Positioning System (GPS).

Advances in Space Research

Well, our density today is probably inadequate to serve as the boot up for a full operating system, but if you look at our road map, it's conceivable that in the next several years we will have a meaningful level of density where at least part of that function can be implemented.

Forbes

Importantly, as demonstrated by recent experience, further increases in the investment in research are probably inadequate, unless they are complemented by such non-financial factors.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was probably inadequate", ensure the context clearly defines what standard or requirement was not met. This provides clarity and strengthens the statement's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "was probably inadequate" when you have definitive evidence of inadequacy. In such cases, use stronger phrasing like "was definitively inadequate" or "was demonstrably insufficient."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was probably inadequate" functions as a subjective assessment, expressing a qualified judgment about the sufficiency of something. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it commonly prefaces explanations or justifications for failures or shortcomings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was probably inadequate" serves as a useful tool for expressing a qualified assessment of insufficiency. It is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, especially within science and news media, as evidenced by Ludwig. While not extremely common, the phrase provides a nuanced way to suggest a deficiency without making a definitive claim. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the standard or expectation that was not met, and avoid using it when you possess definitive evidence of inadequacy. Remember to consider alternative phrasing to better suit the formality and tone of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was likely insufficient

Substitutes "probably" with "likely" and "inadequate" with "insufficient", maintaining a similar level of certainty and meaning.

was possibly deficient

Replaces "probably" with "possibly", indicating a slightly lower degree of certainty, and "inadequate" with "deficient", suggesting a lack of something essential.

was perhaps not enough

Uses a more informal tone by saying "perhaps not enough", which also lowers the level of formality.

may have been lacking

Employs "may have been lacking" to convey a possibility of inadequacy, shifting the focus to absence rather than a degree of deficiency.

proved to be unsatisfactory

Replaces the probabilistic assessment with a retrospective evaluation, emphasizing that something turned out to be inadequate in practice.

fell short of expectations

Focuses on the failure to meet anticipated standards, implying inadequacy relative to a predefined benchmark.

didn't quite measure up

Uses an informal idiom to express that something failed to reach a necessary standard or level.

was somewhat wanting

Employs "somewhat wanting" to suggest a mild deficiency, indicating that something was lacking in a certain aspect.

was hardly sufficient

Emphasizes the inadequacy by using "hardly sufficient", conveying a stronger sense of deficiency.

turned out to be a bit short

Uses a more casual expression suggesting a slight deficiency or lack, especially in tangible resources.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "was probably inadequate" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "was likely insufficient" or "proved to be unsatisfactory". These options provide a similar meaning with enhanced sophistication.

What's the difference between "was probably inadequate" and "was certainly inadequate"?

"Was probably inadequate" indicates a likely insufficiency based on available evidence, while "was certainly inadequate" suggests a confirmed deficiency with no room for doubt. The latter implies a higher degree of certainty.

How do I use "was probably inadequate" in a sentence?

Use "was probably inadequate" to express that something most likely did not meet the necessary requirements or standards. For instance, "The funding allocated for the project "was probably inadequate" to cover all expenses".

What are some less formal alternatives to "was probably inadequate"?

For a more casual tone, you can use phrases like "was perhaps not enough" or "didn't quite measure up". These options convey a similar meaning in a more relaxed manner.