would be insufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be insufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something does not meet the necessary requirements or standards. Example: "The resources allocated for this project would be insufficient to meet the deadlines we have set."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even appending his name to his placard would be insufficient.

The New York Times - Magazine

There would be insufficient power for the planet.

The Guardian

Without that much growth, tax revenues would be insufficient to preserve the surplus.

The New York Times

To secure a conviction, the possession of the plastic sword would be insufficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Any such claim would be insufficient legally on too many grounds to even begin counting.

The New York Times - Sports

But, he added, even such recognition by the Palestinian leadership would be insufficient.

The Guardian

Such a limited context would be insufficient for modelling the complex chemical interactions within materials.

Nature

That would be insufficient for achieving the quality-of-life outcomes that we want for our kids.

Harvard University

Nonetheless, the experience of liberalized electricity markets indicates that market establishment would be insufficient to produce competitive results.

Energy Economics

They argued that six months would be insufficient to get the tracking system running, Dr. Ward recalled.

The New York Times

It would be insufficient to announce it at the start of the interview, that is, to physically utter the words.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be insufficient", ensure the sentence clearly states what the subject is insufficient for. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid embedding "would be insufficient" within overly complex sentence structures. Break down long sentences to maintain clarity and impact. Instead of saying "Considering all factors, the proposed budget, even with adjustments, would be insufficient to cover the escalating operational costs, thereby hindering the project's progress", try "The proposed budget, even with adjustments, "would be insufficient" to cover operational costs. This would hinder the project's progress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be insufficient" typically functions as a predicate adjective, describing a subject's inability to meet a certain requirement or standard. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. For instance, 'Even appending his name to his placard "would be insufficient"'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be insufficient" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is not adequate or enough for a particular purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly specifies what is lacking or inadequate. Alternatives like "would not suffice" or "would fall short" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Be mindful of sentence structure to maintain clarity and avoid overly complex formulations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not suffice

Emphasizes a failure to meet a necessary threshold or requirement; slightly more formal.

would be inadequate

Highlights a general lack of suitability or quality.

would fall short

Suggests a failure to reach a target or expectation; more action-oriented.

would prove lacking

Formal and emphatic, stressing a discovered absence or deficiency.

would not measure up

Focuses on a failure to meet a specific standard or comparison.

would be deficient

Indicates a specific lack or absence of something necessary.

would miss the mark

Suggests a failure to achieve a particular goal or objective.

would be wanting

Implies a lack of necessary qualities or features; somewhat literary.

would leave something to be desired

A polite way of saying something isn't quite good enough.

would not cut it

Informal, suggesting a failure to meet a minimum requirement.

FAQs

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

Use "would be insufficient" to express that something is not enough or not adequate for a particular purpose. For example, "The allocated funds "would be insufficient" to complete the project successfully".

What are some alternatives to "would be insufficient"?

Alternatives include "would not suffice", "would be inadequate", or "would fall short". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "would be insufficient" or "is not sufficient"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "would be insufficient" often implies a hypothetical or future scenario, while "is not sufficient" states a current condition. For example, "If we don't get more funding, the current budget "would be insufficient"" versus "The current budget "is not sufficient" to meet our needs".

What's the difference between "would be insufficient" and "would be inadequate"?

"Would be insufficient" implies a lack of quantity or amount, while "would be inadequate" suggests a lack of quality or suitability. Although often interchangeable, "would be insufficient" focuses more on not being enough, and "would be inadequate" focuses more on not being good enough.