Cool MateInadequate vs Tom's score simply isn't high enough
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inadequate
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Tom's score simply isn't high enough
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Most common: Inadequate
| Inadequate | Tom's score simply isn't high enough | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈædɪkwət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈædɪkwət/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //tɒmz skɔː sɪmpli ɪznt haɪ ɪˈnʌf//🇺🇸 //tɑmz skɔr ˈsɪmpli ˈɪznt haɪ ɪˈnʌf// |
| Meaning | not enough; not good enough | Tom's score is not good enough. |
| Example | The resources provided were inadequate to complete the project on time. | Tom's score simply isn't high enough to pass the exam this time. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | appear, be, look, deeply, grossly, hopelessly, at, for, be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, to | high enough score, not high enough, score simply, Tom's score, enough to pass |
| Antonyms | adequate, sufficient, competent | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'sufficient' — 'inadequate' means not enough, while 'sufficient' means enough., Using 'inadequate' with uncountable nouns incorrectly — it should be used with nouns that can be shown to be lacking., Overusing the word in casual conversation — it's more formal and should be reserved for specific situations. | Using 'high' instead of 'enough' at the end of the sentence., Confusing 'score' with 'points'., Omitting 'simply' which changes the meaning. |
| Usage notes | Use 'inadequate' to describe something that fails to meet a requirement or standard. Suitable in both spoken and written contexts, though mostly neutral, avoid in highly informal situations. | Use this phrase in everyday conversation to express that something does not meet a required level. It is informal and can be used in both written and spoken forms. |
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Frequently asked questions: Inadequate vs Tom's score simply isn't high enough
What's the difference between Inadequate and Tom's score simply isn't high enough?
Inadequate: not enough; not good enough Tom's score simply isn't high enough: Tom's score is not good enough.
Which is more common: Inadequate and Tom's score simply isn't high enough?
Inadequate is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Inadequate: The resources provided were inadequate to complete the project on time. Tom's score simply isn't high enough: Tom's score simply isn't high enough to pass the exam this time.
Can I use Inadequate and Tom's score simply isn't high enough interchangeably?
Not always. Inadequate and Tom's score simply isn't high enough 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.