Suffice

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'suffice' is a correct and commonly used word in written English.
It means to be enough or to meet a particular need or requirement. Example: The amount of money you gave me will suffice for my rent this month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If I were manager Jim Leyland I would see this latest incident as a warning, and make sure my top man was as close to 100% as possible before heading into an October where only a World Series title will suffice.

The Guardian - Sport

Suffice to say, the British were somewhat taken aback when they were attacked in the 1990s by French prime minister Edith Cresson, among others, for "social dumping" because they had not signed up to the social chapter at Maastricht.

The Guardian - Opinion

Suffice to say, I shall be voting for freedom.

The Guardian - Opinion

Plenty of column inches have already been devoted to Django Unchained on this site, so suffice it to say the movie still looks like it will kick ass based on what Quentin Tarantino brought to Comic-Con's venerable Hall H on 14 July.

The Guardian - Film

Suffice to say, Celtic have enjoyed every minute, unwilling as they are to admit as much in public.

The Guardian - Sport

Suffice to say that this is a caricature, a stereotype myth which has been popularised by the press and television, and which unites one and all against the horror strolling down the prom at a seaside resort replete with leather jacket, motor bike, and Nazi helmet.

The Guardian

The term "deaf mute" is also outdated and offensive; "deaf", where relevant, will suffice.

The Guardian

Suffice to say, the experience is one that shouldn't be missed.

The Guardian - Travel

Which is extremely unlikely, so a point should suffice for them.

The Guardian - Sport

It may not be the final nail in Wigan's coffin but draws will no longer suffice.

The Guardian - Sport

Suffice to say Hibs have been a lot more confident of ending their Scottish Cup hoodoo at various spells over the past 109 years than they are just now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for brevity and clarity, consider "suffice" to efficiently convey the idea of adequacy without unnecessary words.

Common error

Avoid using "suffice" in highly informal or casual conversations; simpler words like "enough" or "work" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "suffice" is as an intransitive verb. It indicates that something is adequate or enough to meet a particular need or purpose. Ludwig, as indicated by the Ludwig AI, confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "suffice" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb that indicates adequacy or sufficiency. Ludwig AI confirms this, highlighting its proper usage across various formal and neutral contexts. While generally appropriate for news, business, and academic writing, its use in casual conversation should be considered carefully. Related phrases include alternatives like "be sufficient" and "be adequate". Remember to avoid overusing "suffice" in informal contexts and ensure it aligns with the desired tone and register of your writing. The word's versatility is well-demonstrated by the various examples Ludwig provides.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be sufficient

This alternative emphasizes being enough to fulfill a need, very close in meaning.

Be adequate

This alternative focuses on meeting a minimum standard or requirement, less formal.

Serve the purpose

This highlights that something is effective for a particular goal.

Meet requirements

This alternative emphasizes fulfilling specific criteria or needs.

Answer the need

This stresses directly addressing a specific requirement or demand.

Prove adequate

This highlights the act of demonstrating that something is enough.

Be up to par

This phrase implies meeting a certain standard of quality or performance.

Fill the bill

This is an idiomatic expression meaning to be suitable or satisfactory, more informal.

Do the trick

This is a colloquial way of saying something solves a problem or is effective.

Get by

This suggests barely meeting a requirement, often in a minimal way.

FAQs

How can I use "suffice" in a sentence?

You can use "suffice" to indicate that something is adequate or meets a requirement. For example, "A brief explanation will suffice for now", or "Will this small donation suffice to cover the costs?"

What are some alternatives to using "suffice"?

Alternatives to "suffice" include phrases like "be enough", "be sufficient", or "meet the needs" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "suffices it to say" instead of "suffice it to say"?

No, the correct phrase is "suffice it to say". The verb "suffice" should be in its base form in this expression.

What's the difference between "suffice" and "satisfy"?

"Suffice" means to be enough or adequate, while "satisfy" means to fulfill a need or desire. While something that suffices may satisfy, satisfying doesn't always mean it is merely adequate; it can exceed expectations.