inadequate

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Not enough in amount or quantity for a particular purpose.

   Grammar: Used before nouns or after linking verbs: inadequate supplies; The supplies were inadequate.

   Patterns

   • inadequate for something
   • inadequate to do something

   The food supplies were inadequate for the number of refugees.

   The lighting in the room was inadequate for reading.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Not good enough in quality or ability to meet a standard.

   Grammar: Often used after linking verbs: The performance was inadequate.

   Patterns

   • inadequate for something
   • inadequate to do something

   His training was inadequate for the demands of the job.

   The safety measures proved inadequate after the accident.

3. 3adjectivenot comparable

   Feeling not confident or not good enough about oneself.

   Grammar: Usually used after linking verbs like feel, be: She felt inadequate.

   Patterns

   • feel inadequate
   • be inadequate

   He felt inadequate compared to his more experienced colleagues.

   Many new parents feel inadequate at first.

Common combinations

inadequate for

The budget is inadequate for the project's needs.

feel inadequate

She often felt inadequate in social situations.

prove inadequate

The old system proved inadequate and was replaced.

inadequate to meet a need

The funds were inadequate to meet the demand.

Synonyms and how they differ

insufficient

Insufficient is more formal and usually refers to quantity, while inadequate can also refer to quality or ability.

deficient

Deficient suggests a lack of something needed, often in a technical or medical context, and is stronger than inadequate.

Opposites

Word family

inadequacy noun

The state of being inadequate or not good enough.

inadequately adverb

In a way that is not good enough or not enough.

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “inadequate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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