Just sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Just sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity or quality that meets the minimum requirements but does not exceed them. Example: "The resources provided were just sufficient to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the crisp methods, the measured data are just sufficient for unique characterization of the source.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

My critical powers are just sufficient to determine this, and I am gratified to be able to say it.

Yale University

The second firing is at a lower temperature than the first, being just sufficient to fuse the glaze.

Britannica

The original stator currents shown in the figure are just sufficient to produce the rotating magnetic field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Available phosphorus (P) in the majority of fields in both locations was around threshold levels, and just sufficient for most crops.

Field Crops Research

Crucially, the team found that the water vapor feedback is just sufficient to cancel out the rate at which the warmer atmosphere emits more heat into space.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

For the EVM wind farm, Walmart de México's equity investment was minimal, just sufficient to meet the requirements for Mexico's self-supply tariff.

Yale University

Openness is important, Spector says, but with large amounts of data, it is not just sufficient for systems to be able to process it.

The Guardian

Critical damping just prevents vibration or is just sufficient to allow the object to return to its rest position in the shortest period of time.

Britannica

Overall, 65 people were arrested and 50 injured.The trouble was just sufficient for the police to claim that their tactics had been justified.

The Economist

The EU trade deal may be years distant, but movement is just sufficient to keep the Europeans interested.Unengaged Americans are less patient.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just sufficient", ensure the context clearly defines what the sufficiency refers to. For example, "just sufficient resources" should specify what those resources are and what they are sufficient for.

Common error

Avoid using "just sufficient" when a stronger term like "ample" or "more than enough" is appropriate. "Just sufficient" implies a minimal level of adequacy, so misusing it can understate the true extent of something's suitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just sufficient" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates that something meets the minimum requirements or needs, without exceeding them.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

18%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just sufficient" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed adjectival phrase that precisely indicates something meets the minimum requirements without being excessive. According to Ludwig AI, its use is widespread across various domains, predominantly in science, news, and academic contexts. When writing, it's crucial to avoid overstating the degree of adequacy. Consider alternatives such as "barely adequate" or "scarcely enough" for nuanced expression. The phrase serves the communicative purpose of indicating an element that meets the basic needs, and no more.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely adequate

This alternative highlights the narrow margin by which the requirement is met.

Minimally adequate

This phrase emphasizes the adequacy is at the lowest acceptable level.

Scarcely enough

This alternative suggests the quantity is barely enough to meet the needs.

Only just enough

This emphasizes that there is no excess and the quantity barely meets the requirements.

Marginally sufficient

Highlights that sufficiency is achieved by a small margin.

Adequately minimum

This suggests a basic level of adequacy, emphasizing the minimum requirement is met.

Hardly excessive

This expresses that the amount is not more than what is needed.

Sufficient and no more

This explicitly states the quantity is sufficient without any additional excess.

Precisely the required amount

This alternative denotes the amount is carefully measured to only meet the requirements.

The bare minimum

This underscores that the minimum requirement has been achieved.

FAQs

How to use "just sufficient" in a sentence?

Use "just sufficient" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or needs. For instance, "The budget was "just sufficient" to cover the essential expenses" or "The provided information was "just sufficient" for understanding the basic concepts".

What can I say instead of "just sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "barely adequate", "minimally acceptable", or "scarcely enough" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "just sufficient" or "sufficient enough"?

"Just sufficient" is generally preferred over "sufficient enough" because it is more concise and idiomatic. "Sufficient enough" can be seen as redundant, as "sufficient" already implies "enough".

What's the difference between "just sufficient" and "more than sufficient"?

"Just sufficient" indicates that something meets the minimum requirements or needs, whereas "more than sufficient" implies that there is an excess or surplus beyond what is needed.