wholly adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wholly adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely sufficient or satisfactory for a particular purpose. Example: "The resources provided for the project were wholly adequate to meet our needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Newtonian physics thrived immediately and long, proving less than wholly adequate only in the 20th century.

The New York Times - Arts

And there are periods where watching his dotty hyperactivity isn't a wholly adequate substitute for jokes.

The Guardian

The language and the images are wholly adequate to the complexity - and to the knife-like painfulness - of these reflections.

The Guardian - Books

Conditioning theories are not wholly adequate to explain school learning, since the learner is not simply a responder.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And it is to be hoped that the normal balance of executive and legislative authority may be wholly equal, wholly adequate to meet the unprecedented task before us.

The Guardian

The arrangements which this soldier had for his awakening and which had at the seemed wholly adequate did not prove effective.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And you've never wholly owned up to that, never made adequate amends.

The New York Times

It has not been wholly clarified what age is the most adequate dividing line relative to prognosis.

Acta Orthopaedica

Hamza claimed he was too ill to stand trial in the United State – something the judges ruled was "wholly unconvincing" arguing that he would be given adequate access to treatment in the United States.

Independent

This finding would suggest, for the case of forced random vibration of a clamped-clamped beam, that a SDOF beam model is adequate for moderately large amplitude prediction but wholly inadequate at very large amplitudes.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Born prematurely, at a point prior to any adequate capacity for self-care, the infant is wholly instinctually inept.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wholly adequate" to convey a sense of complete sufficiency, especially when emphasizing that something not only meets but exceeds requirements. This phrase adds a layer of strength to your assertion.

Common error

Avoid pairing "wholly adequate" with other intensifiers (e.g., "very wholly adequate") as it can sound redundant and weaken the impact of your writing. Let "wholly" stand alone to convey the completeness of adequacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wholly adequate" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe the extent to which something meets a particular requirement or standard. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes complete sufficiency.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

29%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

17%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wholly adequate" is an adjective phrase used to describe something that is completely sufficient or satisfactory. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not extremely common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business, suggesting a formal register. Alternatives such as "completely sufficient" and "entirely satisfactory" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure it stands alone without redundant intensifiers to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely sufficient

Emphasizes the completeness of the sufficiency.

entirely satisfactory

Focuses on the satisfaction aspect of being adequate.

perfectly acceptable

Highlights the acceptability and suitability.

fully sufficient

Similar to completely sufficient, but with a slightly different tone.

altogether fitting

Emphasizes the appropriateness of the adequacy.

thoroughly suitable

Highlights the level of suitability that the subject embodies.

amply qualified

Similar meaning but referring to a person or skill that is sufficient.

perfectly suited

Similar meaning but referring to a person or skill that is suitable.

absolutely up to par

Using an idiomatic expression to convey the adequacy.

quite capable

Refers to the capability as a measure of adequacy.

FAQs

How can I use "wholly adequate" in a sentence?

Use "wholly adequate" to describe something that is completely sufficient or satisfactory for a particular purpose. For example, "The resources provided for the project were "wholly adequate" to meet our needs".

What phrases are similar to "wholly adequate"?

You can use alternatives like "completely sufficient", "entirely satisfactory", or "perfectly acceptable" depending on the context.

Is "wholly adequate" formal or informal?

"Wholly adequate" is generally considered a formal phrase. It's suitable for professional and academic writing but might sound overly formal in casual conversation.

When is it appropriate to use "wholly adequate" instead of "adequate"?

Use "wholly adequate" when you want to emphasize the completeness of the adequacy. It suggests that something not only meets the requirements but does so fully and completely.