working adequately

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working adequately" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is functioning or performing satisfactorily, meeting the necessary requirements or standards. Example: "The new software is working adequately, and we can proceed with the next phase of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"The justice court system as a whole is working adequately, but it is also plagued by problems that are not easily resolved," she said.

The New York Times

"The software is so clunky, awkward and unaccommodating that we cannot foresee the system working adequately in a clinical context," the letter said.

The Guardian - Business

The company expects to expand the project soon to other airports, assuming the airports and the authorities agree that it is working adequately in Minneapolis.

The New York Times

The new drugs are expected to be much more expensive than warfarin, and not recommended for many patients for whom warfarin is working adequately.

The New York Times

It is not just that we don't know for sure whether the system is working adequately, it is that it is literally impossible to say objectively whether the system is working adequately in any one case, far less for all 500,000 adults and children entering the system per year.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Despite some good actors, self-regulation of privacy has not worked adequately and is not working adequately for American consumers," Jon Leibowitz, the chairman of the trade commission, said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

No existing voice recognition technology works adequately under such circumstances.

The New York Times - Tech

Most of these coils are made of stainless steel, but copper coils also work adequately.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So while this version works adequately, and certainly offers its share of diversion, the reason for its existence is obscure.

The New York Times

But Boeing failed to supervise its partners' work adequately and has probably ended up spending more to put things right than it ever would have saved.

The Economist

That said, the devices may work adequately on occasion if an older adult is at home, in a quiet room, and wants some help communicating with another person.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the performance of a system or process, consider using "working adequately" to indicate that it meets the minimum required standards without necessarily excelling.

Common error

Avoid using "working adequately" when the subject is performing exceptionally well. Opt for stronger terms like "working efficiently" or "working optimally" to accurately reflect superior performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working adequately" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the degree to which something is performing or functioning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable grammatical status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

48%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "working adequately" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a satisfactory level of performance or functionality. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing it appears across diverse sources such as news, science, and business. While it implies meeting minimum requirements, remember to use stronger terms when describing exceptional performance, but according to Ludwig, this is correct and usable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

performing satisfactorily

Replaces "working" with "performing" and "adequately" with "satisfactorily", emphasizing a satisfactory level of execution.

functioning properly

Substitutes "working" with "functioning" and "adequately" with "properly", highlighting the correct operation of something.

sufficiently effective

Emphasizes the degree of effectiveness as being sufficient for the intended purpose.

operating effectively

Replaces "working" with "operating" and "adequately" with "effectively", focusing on the efficiency of the operation.

acceptably functional

Combines the ideas of acceptance and functionality, indicating an adequate level of performance.

running smoothly

Changes the phrase to describe the action as "running", implying a seamless and efficient process.

doing the job well

Rephrases the concept to emphasize the successful completion of a task or job.

meeting requirements

Shifts the focus to fulfilling necessary standards or criteria.

serviceable operation

Highlights the functional aspect of the operation being in a usable condition.

passable performance

Describes the performance as acceptable but not necessarily outstanding.

FAQs

How can I use "working adequately" in a sentence?

You can use "working adequately" to describe something that is functioning or performing satisfactorily, meeting the necessary requirements or standards. For example: "The new system is working adequately, but there's room for improvement."

What are some alternatives to "working adequately"?

Alternatives include "performing satisfactorily", "functioning properly", or "operating effectively", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "working adequately" or "working efficiently"?

The choice depends on the context. "Working adequately" suggests that something meets the minimum requirements, while "working efficiently" implies a higher level of performance with minimal wasted effort.

What's the difference between "working adequately" and "working properly"?

"Working properly" emphasizes that something is functioning according to its intended design. "Working adequately" indicates that something is sufficient for the task at hand, even if it's not perfect. The two phrases are similar but have slight nuances.