a sufficient degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sufficient degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the adequacy or appropriateness of a certain level or extent of something. Example: "The study demonstrated that the participants had achieved a sufficient degree of understanding of the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But they have not done so to a sufficient degree.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet it leaves a sufficient degree of competition to encourage better performance.

The New York Times

I know that I lack a sufficient degree of it – perhaps because I could not bear it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is because American cities do not possess a sufficient degree of historical awareness for contemporary architecture to flourish.

The New York Times - Arts

When dissonance and complexity build to a sufficient degree, works of classical, jazz, or rock descent can sound more like one another than like their parent genres.

The New Yorker

But if China and Taiwan establish a sufficient degree of mutual trust, Taiwan can remain an indispensable ally for the United States and a model for China's future.

The New York Times

A coalition of Jewish organizations had launched a campaign against the course, claiming it was "antisemitic" and "anti-Israel", and last week the elite school suspended the class, saying it "did not receive a sufficient degree of scrutiny".

The Guardian

When Friendly believes he has found a person in whom the qualities of involvement and communicativeness are present to a sufficient degree, he demonstrates a remarkable ability to get that person stirred up about television.

The New Yorker

The bilateral talks and the constructive discussion within the European Council show a sufficient degree of potential convergence to make an agreement possible in the beginning of next year.

The Guardian - Business

Nevertheless, the ideological surge is by no means irreversible and Zionism is in a sufficient degree of flux and turmoil to suggest that attitudes on the Israeli side can undergo radical change.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps, and this need not exclude the previous hypothesis, the root of the work was a childhood memory, which had lived on as a debt to be repaid when his art had acquired a sufficient degree of power and freedom.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more precise term exists. While “a sufficient degree” is versatile, a more specific adjective might improve concision and impact. For instance, instead of “a sufficient degree of accuracy”, you could say “high accuracy”.

Common error

Avoid using "a sufficient degree" without providing context or measurable criteria. For instance, stating that 'training improved skills to a sufficient degree' is vague. Instead, specify the improvement, such as 'training improved skills to a degree that participants could independently complete complex tasks'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sufficient degree" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something has reached an adequate or acceptable level. As noted by Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sufficient degree" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies an adequate or acceptable level. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears across various contexts, particularly in science and news media, indicating a neutral to formal register. While versatile, ensuring context and quantifying 'sufficient' enhances clarity. Common alternatives include "an adequate level" and "a satisfactory extent". Remember to provide context when using the phrase, specifying what "sufficient" means in a particular situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adequate level

Replaces "sufficient" with "adequate", implying a similar minimum requirement but potentially a lower standard.

a satisfactory extent

Substitutes "sufficient degree" with "satisfactory extent", suggesting that the level reached is enough to meet a particular need or expectation.

an adequate quantity

Similar in meaning, suggesting that the quantity is enough to meet a specific need or requirement.

an acceptable amount

Changes the noun to "amount" and the adjective to "acceptable", indicating that the quantity is permissible or adequate.

a considerable extent

Replaces "sufficient" with "considerable", emphasizing that the degree is notable and substantial.

a substantial measure

Uses "substantial measure" to convey a similar idea, suggesting a significant quantity or degree.

an appreciable quantity

Expresses a similar meaning, highlighting that the quantity is noticeable or measurable.

a reasonable amount

Uses "reasonable" in place of "sufficient", implying that the quantity is fair and appropriate in a given situation.

an ample measure

Emphasizes that there is more than enough, implying abundance.

a high level

Focuses on the height or intensity of something, suggesting that it has reached a significant degree.

FAQs

How can I use "a sufficient degree" in a sentence?

You can use "a sufficient degree" to indicate that something has reached an adequate or acceptable level. For example: "The data was analyzed to "a sufficient degree" of accuracy."

What are some alternatives to using "a sufficient degree"?

Alternatives include "an adequate level", "a satisfactory extent", or "an acceptable amount", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "sufficient degree" or "adequate degree"?

Both "sufficient degree" and "adequate degree" are acceptable, but "sufficient degree" is slightly more formal. Choose the term that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

What does "a sufficient degree" imply in a scientific context?

In a scientific context, "a sufficient degree" typically implies that a certain threshold or standard has been met, allowing for reliable results or conclusions. It suggests that the variable in question has been controlled or measured to "a sufficient degree" of precision.