Definitions
- Describing something that is done to a satisfactory level or degree. - Referring to having enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement. - Talking about doing something in a competent or acceptable manner.
- Describing having enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement. - Referring to doing something to a satisfactory level or degree. - Talking about having enough resources or information to accomplish a task.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe having enough of something.
- 2Both words can be used to describe completing a task to a satisfactory level.
- 3Both words are adverbs that modify verbs.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Adequately is more commonly used to describe the completion of a task, while sufficiently is more commonly used to describe having enough of something.
- 2Degree: Adequately implies that something has been done to a satisfactory level, while sufficiently implies that there is enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement.
- 3Connotation: Adequately can sometimes have a negative connotation, implying that something was only done to a minimum standard, while sufficiently has a more positive connotation, implying that there is enough of something to meet a particular need or requirement.
- 4Formality: Sufficiently is generally considered more formal than adequately.
Remember this!
Adequately and sufficiently are synonyms that describe having enough of something or completing a task to a satisfactory level. However, adequately is more commonly used to describe the completion of a task, while sufficiently is more commonly used to describe having enough of something. Additionally, adequately can sometimes have a negative connotation, while sufficiently has a more positive connotation and is generally considered more formal.
