inadequacy

/ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈædɪkwəsi/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwə-sē/ (ame, mw)

inadequacy — noun

  • inadequacysingular
  • inadequaciesplural

1. a situation in which something does not reach the expected standard or is presen

1.名詞B2
釋義

a situation in which something does not reach the expected standard or is present in an amount that is too small — for example, when a hospital lacks enough beds for its patients, or when a harvest provides too little food to feed the whole village

例句

Samir pointed out the inadequacy of the school library, which had only fifty books for four hundred students.

the inadequacy of [something]

The safety report blamed the inadequacy of the fire exits for the slow evacuation during the drill.

同義詞
  • insufficiency

    more technical or formal; focuses on quantity rather than quality

  • deficiency

    suggests a lack of something essential, often in health, nutrition, or systems

  • shortage

    primarily about quantity; used when there is not enough of something people need

  • lack

    more general and slightly less formal; can apply to both quality and quantity

反義詞
  • adequacy

    the opposite state — being sufficient or meeting the standard

  • sufficiency

    having enough of what is needed

文法句型

the inadequacy of [something]

用法筆記

Frequently used with the preposition 'of' to specify what is insufficient: the inadequacy OF (staff, funding, resources, etc.). This is the most common grammatical pattern for this sense.

常見錯誤

❌The inadequacy of the staffs was clear.
✅The inadequacy of the staff was clear.
💡'staff' is an uncountable collective noun and does not take -s.
❌There is inadequacy in healthcare system.
✅There is inadequacy in the healthcare system.
💡'inadequacy' followed by a singular countable noun needs a determiner.

2. a feeling of self-doubt in which you believe you are not capable enough, skilled

2.名詞B2
釋義

a feeling of self-doubt in which you believe you are not capable enough, skilled enough, or good enough to handle a task, role, or situation — for example, worrying that your answers in a job interview are not smart enough, or feeling unable to lead a group discussion

例句

Amara's feelings of inadequacy kept her from applying for the manager position that she secretly wanted.

feelings of inadequacy — often in plural

Despite years of experience, Xin admitted to a deep sense of inadequacy whenever she had to speak at a conference.

a sense of inadequacy

同義詞
  • insecurity

    broader — can refer to lack of confidence in many areas, not just ability

  • self-doubt

    more direct and specific; focuses on questioning one's own capability

  • uncertainty

    less intense; can refer to doubt about facts or decisions, not just oneself

反義詞
  • confidence

    the opposite feeling — believing in your own ability

  • self-assurance

    a calm trust in your own judgment and skills

文法句型

a feeling/sense of inadequacy

feelings of inadequacy

用法筆記

Often appears in the fixed expressions 'feelings of inadequacy' (plural) or 'a sense of inadequacy' (singular). The subject is typically a person experiencing imposter syndrome or low self-confidence. This sense is always about a personal psychological state, never about external objects or systems.

常見錯誤

❌The inadequacy of my salary made me feel bad.' (using sense 2 when you mean sense 1).
✅The inadequacy of my salary meant I could not pay the bills.' (sense 1
💡insufficient amount) vs 'I felt a deep sense of inadequacy when my boss praised my colleagues but not me.' (sense 2 — self-doubt). — Use sense 1 for external insufficiency; use sense 2 for internal self-doubt about your own abilities.