without adequate cause

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "without adequate cause" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that something is done without sufficient justification or reason. Example: "The employee was terminated without adequate cause, leading to a potential lawsuit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If the Rakkasans had initiated fire without adequate cause, then, on some level, hadn't the driver been murdered?

The New Yorker

When we condone officers' use of these devices without adequate cause, we give them reason to target pedestrians in an arbitrary manner.

University of Chicago

While there won't be impeachment proceedings this year, what about the House letting him know that IF he attacks Iran without adequate cause in a kind of October Surprise, it would begin proceedings?

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the chromium tanning process leather consumes 60-80% of the applied chromium salt and the rest is usually discharged into sewage without adequate treatment, causing serious environmental impact.

Desalination

Long spells without adequate nutrition can cause osteoporosis and damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and brain.

The Guardian

Practices like tacking exorbitant fees onto loans without adequate disclosure can cause unsuspecting consumers to borrow more than they can repay, driving them into default and resulting in the loss of their homes.

The New York Times

We can identify lots of ideas for a framework but without adequate resources that causes a real difficulty".

Science Magazine

"Without adequate time, we could cause real problems in the election".

The New York Times

Without adequate technical information about the cause of the Ethiopian Airlines crash and a clear correlation to the Lion Air crash, the FAA and Boeing, and global regulators, and airlines are in the unenviable position of having to reverse the aircraft grounding with no greater technical insights than they had when they first grounded the fleet.

Forbes

The reuse of contaminated instruments without adequate cleaning and sterilization can cause postoperative inflammation and the transmission of infectious diseases from one patient to another.

BioMed Research International

Without adequate precautions, removing the debris could cause the wall to shift or rupture.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "without adequate cause", ensure the context clearly establishes what would constitute an "adequate" cause in that situation. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid embedding "without adequate cause" within already complex sentence structures. This can make your writing difficult to follow. Instead, simplify the sentence or break it into multiple, clearer sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "without adequate cause" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a lack of sufficient reason or justification for an action or event. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "without adequate cause" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a lack of sufficient justification or reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in a variety of contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and scientific writing, and its register is typically neutral to formal. When using this phrase, clarity is key: make sure the context defines what an "adequate" cause would be to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "without just cause" or "without sufficient reason" to vary your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

without just cause

Replaces "adequate" with "just", emphasizing fairness and legality.

without sufficient reason

Replaces "adequate" with "sufficient", implying a lack of enough reason.

without a good reason

Emphasizes the absence of a compelling or convincing reason.

without justifiable reason

Substitutes "adequate cause" with a more formal phrase indicating a lack of justifiable grounds.

without valid grounds

Uses "valid grounds" to emphasize the lack of legitimate basis for an action.

without any basis

Simplifies the phrase, highlighting the absence of any foundation or justification.

for no reason

Simplifies the phrase to indicate a complete lack of any rationale.

unwarrantedly

Expresses the concept adverbially, emphasizing that something is done without justification.

without merit

Indicates a lack of value or substance to justify an action or decision.

arbitrarily

Suggests a decision or action is based on random choice or personal whim, lacking any reasoned basis.

FAQs

What does "without adequate cause" mean?

The phrase "without adequate cause" means lacking a sufficient or acceptable reason or justification. It implies that an action or decision was made without a valid basis.

How can I use "without adequate cause" in a sentence?

You can use "without adequate cause" to describe actions or decisions that lack proper justification. For example, "The employee was dismissed "without just cause"."

What are some synonyms for "without adequate cause"?

Synonyms for "without adequate cause" include "without sufficient reason", "without valid grounds", and "without just cause".

Is it better to say "without adequate cause" or "without sufficient cause"?

Both "without adequate cause" and "without sufficient reason" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Adequate" suggests a minimum level of acceptability, while "sufficient" suggests enough to meet a particular need.