Adequate vs It is sufficient to trouble me

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Adequate

Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective

It is sufficient to trouble me

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Adequate
 AdequateIt is sufficient to trouble me
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈædɪkwət//🇺🇸 //ˈædɪkwɪt//🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz səˈfɪʃənt tə ˈtrʌbəl miː//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz səˈfɪʃənt tə ˈtrʌbəl mi//
MeaningGood enough for what is needed.It is enough to annoy me
ExampleThe food was adequate, but I expected something better.It is sufficient to trouble me when you raise your voice.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsadequate resources, adequate solution, adequate responsesufficient evidence, sufficient time, sufficient reason, sufficient resources
Antonymsinadequate, insufficient-
Common mistakesConfused with 'sufficient' - 'adequate' implies minimum quality, while 'sufficient' means enough in quantity., Using 'adequate' too casually, as it is more formal., Mispronouncing it, especially in unstressed syllables.Confused with 'sufficiently' which is an adverb., Using 'troubles' instead of 'trouble' in a singular context., Misplacing the word order, making it unclear.
Usage notesUse 'adequate' when something meets the necessary requirements, but is not exceptional. It's often used in formal contexts, like reports or evaluations.This phrase is somewhat formal. It might be more common to use in written English rather than spoken. In casual conversation, people might say, 'It's enough to bother me.'

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It is sufficient to trouble me

Frequently asked questions: Adequate vs It is sufficient to trouble me

What's the difference between Adequate and It is sufficient to trouble me?

Adequate: Good enough for what is needed. It is sufficient to trouble me: It is enough to annoy me

Which is more common: Adequate and It is sufficient to trouble me?

Adequate is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Adequate: The food was adequate, but I expected something better. It is sufficient to trouble me: It is sufficient to trouble me when you raise your voice.

Can I use Adequate and It is sufficient to trouble me interchangeably?

Not always. Adequate and It is sufficient to trouble me are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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