Inadequate vs Insufficient vs Not enough

Quando usar cada um em inglês, com significado, registro e exemplos.

Inadequate

Top 2000 (comum)C1adjective

Insufficient

Top 5000 (bastante comum)C1adjective

Not enough

Top 2000 (comum)
 InadequateInsufficientNot enough
Pronúncia🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈædɪkwət/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈædɪkwət/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃnt/"]/🇬🇧 //nɒt ɪˈnʌf//🇺🇸 //nɑːt ɪˈnʌf//
SignificadoNão o suficiente; não bom o suficientenot enough; not good enoughNão é o bastantenot enoughLess than what is needed or wanted.
ExemploThe resources provided were inadequate to complete the project on time.insufficient timeThere is not enough food for everyone at the party.
RegistroNeutroNeutroNeutro
Quão comumTop 2000 (comum)Top 5000 (bastante comum)Top 2000 (comum)
Nível CEFRC1C1-
Classe gramaticaladjectiveadjective
Colocaçõesappear, be, look, deeply, grossly, hopelessly, at, for, be, feel, seem, extremely, fairly, very, tobe, prove, quite, wholly, simply, fornot enough time, not enough resources, not enough information, not enough support, not enough effort
Antônimosadequate, sufficient, competentsufficient, adequate, ample-
Erros comunsConfused 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.Confused with 'sufficient' which means enough., Omitting the context, e.g., saying 'insufficient' without stating what is insufficient., Using inappropriately in informal settings.Omitting 'not' and saying 'enough' instead., Using 'not enough' without a noun (e.g., 'not enough time' is needed)., Incorrectly using it in a positive context, where a negative is necessary.
Notas de usoUse 'inadequado' para descrever algo que não atende a um requisito ou padrão. Adequado em contextos falados e escritos, embora na maioria das vezes neutro, evite em situações muito informais.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.Usado em contextos formais, como relatórios ou textos acadêmicos. Evite em conversas casuais. Comum em discussões financeiras ou relacionadas a recursos.Used in formal contexts, such as reports or academic writing. Avoid in casual conversations. Common in financial or resource-related discussions.Used to express insufficient quantity or degree. Common in both spoken and written English. Can be applied to things like time, resources, or effort.

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Not enough

Perguntas frequentes: Inadequate vs Insufficient vs Not enough

Qual é a diferença entre Inadequate, Insufficient e Not enough?

Inadequate: not enough; not good enough Insufficient: not enough Not enough: Less than what is needed or wanted.

Pode mostrar um exemplo de cada?

Inadequate: The resources provided were inadequate to complete the project on time. Insufficient: insufficient time Not enough: There is not enough food for everyone at the party.

Posso usar Inadequate, Insufficient e Not enough de forma intercambiável?

Nem sempre. Inadequate, Insufficient e Not enough são relacionadas e às vezes se sobrepõem, mas diferem em registro, frequência e uso, então trocar uma pela outra pode mudar o sentido ou o tom. Veja as diferenças acima antes de substituir.