would be adequate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be adequate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is sufficient or acceptable under certain conditions or circumstances. Example: "If we receive the necessary funding, the current plan would be adequate to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He says Giuliani would be "adequate".

The New Yorker

He said the scale of intervention would be "adequate".

The Economist

"We don't think 20percentt would be adequate," said one person close to the governor.

The New York Times

Social Security and their own retirement plans would be adequate for this modest target.

The New York Times

The law agencies hold that they would be adequate for both the coming events.

Independent

Toyota said the repair would be adequate for the life of the vehicle.

The New York Times

Few economists thought the stimulus plan alone would be adequate to keep the economy clear of a recession.

The New York Times

At that point, in 2040, Social Security tax collections would be adequate to pay only 74percentt of scheduled benefits.

The New York Times

Mayer managed to persuade her that Cary Grant and James Stewart would be adequate to the tasks.

The New Yorker

The commission's "reviews were not always rigorous enough to ensure that decommissioning funds would be adequate," it said.

The New York Times

Mr. Kelly said that Citigroup would increase its provisions if the recession deepened and that its reserves would be adequate.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be adequate", ensure the context clearly defines what standards or needs are being met. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "would be adequate" when a stronger term like "optimal" or "ideal" is more appropriate. Accurately reflect the degree to which something meets the requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be adequate" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that something is sufficient or meets a certain standard. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be adequate" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that something is sufficient or acceptable, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "would be sufficient" exist, "would be adequate" strikes a balance between formality and clarity, effectively conveying that requirements are met without overstating the quality or suitability. The examples confirm the versatility of its applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be sufficient

A direct synonym replacement, highlighting that the requirement is met.

would be enough

Simplifies the phrase, focusing on meeting a basic need or requirement.

would suffice

Replaces "adequate" with a more concise synonym, emphasizing that something is enough.

would be suitable

Shifts the focus to appropriateness and fitness for a specific purpose.

would be satisfactory

Indicates that something meets expectations or provides contentment.

would be acceptable

Highlights that something meets a minimum standard of approval.

would meet the requirements

More explicitly states that something fulfills specified conditions.

would pass muster

An idiomatic alternative meaning that something would meet the required standards.

would cut it

An informal way of saying something is sufficient or acceptable.

would do the trick

An idiomatic expression indicating that something will effectively achieve the desired outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "would be adequate" in a sentence?

Use "would be adequate" to express that something is sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose or under certain conditions. For example, "A basic understanding of mathematics "would be adequate" for this role".

What's a more formal alternative to "would be adequate"?

A more formal alternative is "would be sufficient", which conveys a similar meaning but is often preferred in professional or academic contexts.

What can I say instead of "would be adequate" in a less formal setting?

In less formal settings, you could say "would be enough" or "would cut it" to express that something meets the minimum requirements.

How does "would be adequate" differ from "would be ideal"?

"Would be adequate" suggests something meets the minimum requirements, whereas "would be ideal" indicates it's the best possible option. The former is about sufficiency, the latter about optimization.