inadequate
/ɪnˈædɪkwət/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈædɪkwət/ (ame, ipa) · /(ˌ)i-ˈna-di-kwət/ (ame, mw)
inadequate — adjective
- inadequatepositive
- more inadequatecomparative
- most inadequatesuperlative
1. not reaching the level of quality that is needed or expected in a particular sit
not reaching the level of quality that is needed or expected in a particular situation
The school's science equipment was inadequate for advanced experiments.
collocation: inadequate for [purpose]
Benjamin felt his English was inadequate for the university course.
The hospital found that its emergency procedures were completely inadequate.
Yael's preparation proved inadequate when she faced the final exam.
- insufficient
more neutral, often interchangeable; 'inadequate' carries a stronger judgment of failure
- deficient
suggests a specific missing element rather than general poor quality
- unsatisfactory
focuses on the result or outcome rather than the thing itself
- substandard
implies the thing falls below an expected minimum standard, often in manufacturing or services
- adequate
the direct opposite; meets the required level
- satisfactory
acceptable in quality; less demanding than 'adequate'
- sufficient
often used for quantity but also applicable to quality in some contexts
文法句型
inadequate for [something]
inadequate to [do something]
[be/prove] + inadequate
用法筆記
Frequently used with intensifying adverbs such as 'woefully', 'grossly', or 'totally' to emphasize how far something falls short.
常見錯誤
2. present in a quantity that is too small to satisfy a specific requirement or nee
present in a quantity that is too small to satisfy a specific requirement or need
The water supply was inadequate for the growing number of villagers.
collocation: inadequate for [number of people]
Minho found his salary inadequate to cover the family's monthly expenses.
pattern: inadequate to [do something]
Funding for the public library was so inadequate that it closed early.
The shelter had inadequate heating for the cold winter months.
- insufficient
almost interchangeable; 'insufficient' sounds slightly more formal
- scarce
implies a general shortage affecting many people, not just one situation
- meager
more informal; suggests the amount is pitifully small
- sufficient
the standard opposite; enough for the purpose
- ample
more than enough; generous
- plentiful
available in large quantity
文法句型
inadequate for [number of people/needs]
[noun of quantity] + is + inadequate
inadequate + [noun: funding/supply/heating]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a resource noun (funding, supply, space, time, heating) rather than an abstract quality. Distinguish from sense 1, where the defect is in quality rather than quantity.
常見錯誤
3. feeling that you are not good enough or skilled enough for a particular role, ta
feeling that you are not good enough or skilled enough for a particular role, task, or situation
Paloma felt inadequate when comparing her work to her colleagues' results.
pattern: feel inadequate + when comparing
New teachers often feel inadequate during their first year in the classroom.
common context: feel inadequate [in a role]
Tuan felt inadequate to lead the team after the manager resigned suddenly.
Seeing her sister's perfect grades made Iris feel inadequate about her own work.
- incompetent
stronger and more negative; suggests a genuine lack of ability, not just a feeling
- unfit
suggests unsuitability for a specific role; harsher judgment
- unequal to
more formal; 'feel unequal to the task' is a set phrase
文法句型
feel inadequate
feel inadequate + [prepositional phrase: about/in/as]
inadequate to [deal with/handle]
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense describes a person's internal feeling or self-assessment rather than an objective quality of a thing. Most common in the fixed phrase 'feel inadequate'. Subject is nearly always a person.