Would suffice

USAGE SUMMARY

"Would suffice" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is enough or sufficient for a certain purpose. For example: "I only need a few basic ingredients for the recipe - a dash of salt, a tablespoon of sugar, and some butter would suffice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Normally, that would suffice.

The New York Times

Commas would suffice.

The Guardian

A respectable showing would suffice.

The New York Times - Magazine

Only a touchdown would suffice.

The New York Times - Sports

One quick flutter would suffice.

The New Yorker

Maybe painted cardboard would suffice.

The New York Times

At this stage, a scrap would suffice.

The New Yorker

A free-kick would suffice.

The Guardian - Sport

In fact, "summer of insanity" would suffice.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead, English, German or French would suffice.

The New York Times

Nickelodeon figured about 65 performances would suffice.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Would suffice" when you want to indicate that something is adequate or just enough to meet a particular need or purpose. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "Would suffice" in very informal settings might sound overly formal or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "would be enough" or "would work" in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would suffice" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating that something is adequate or enough to meet a requirement or achieve a purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Would suffice" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that conveys the idea of adequacy or sufficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, making it a versatile choice for expressing that something is 'just enough' to meet a requirement. While suitable for neutral to formal settings, it's important to consider simpler alternatives in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Would be sufficient

Substitutes 'suffice' with 'sufficient', which is nearly synonymous and maintains a formal tone.

Would be adequate

Replaces 'suffice' with 'adequate', maintaining a similar level of formality and meaning.

Would be enough

Uses a more common and slightly less formal term, 'enough', in place of 'suffice'.

Would be satisfactory

Highlights that something meets the required satisfaction level, similar to being sufficient.

Would be acceptable

Focuses on the acceptability of something rather than its mere adequacy.

Would meet the requirements

Specifies that certain criteria or standards are fulfilled.

Would serve the purpose

Emphasizes the fulfillment of a specific goal or intention.

Would answer the need

Focuses on addressing a specific requirement or demand.

Would fit the bill

Uses an idiom to indicate something is perfectly suitable for a specific need.

Would do the trick

Offers a more informal and idiomatic way of saying something will achieve the desired result.

FAQs

How can I use "Would suffice" in a sentence?

"Would suffice" indicates that something is adequate or sufficient. For instance, "A brief explanation "would suffice" to clarify the matter".

What are some alternatives to "Would suffice"?

Alternatives include "would be enough", "would be sufficient", or "would do", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "Would suffice" formal or informal?

"Would suffice" leans towards formal and neutral contexts. In informal settings, simpler phrases might be more appropriate.

When is it best to use "Would suffice"?

Use "Would suffice" when you want to express that something is adequate without being excessive, particularly in professional or academic writing. For example, "Providing additional data "would suffice" to address the reviewer's concerns".