What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incompetent
Example
The new employee was incompetent and couldn't complete the assigned tasks. [incompetent: adjective]
Example
The company suffered losses due to the incompetent management. [incompetent: noun]
inadequate
Example
The company's budget was inadequate to cover the expenses. [inadequate: adjective]
Example
The teacher's explanation was inadequate, and the students were confused. [inadequate: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inadequate is more commonly used than incompetent in everyday language. Inadequate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while incompetent is less common and often used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incompetent and inadequate?
Incompetent is typically associated with a more formal or professional tone, while inadequate can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
