a sufficient quantity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sufficient quantity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the adequacy of an amount of something, often in contexts like supply, resources, or requirements. Example: "To complete the experiment successfully, we need to ensure that we have a sufficient quantity of reagents available."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Political legitimacy is grounded in having a sufficient quantity of bread at affordable prices".

The New York Times - Arts

Given a sufficient quantity of Christmas puddings, every German in the trenches before ours would have surrendered.

Independent

In order for a poison to produce toxicity, a sufficient quantity of that chemical must be absorbed into the body.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a sufficient quantity of the extract was prepared, the active compound, taxol, was isolated in 1969.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Pigs," we are informed, "must have permanent access to a sufficient quantity of material to enable proper investigation and manipulation activities".

The New Yorker

"Simply put, there is neither a sufficient quantity, nor more importantly quality, of data points to gain real benefit from an algorithmic analysis," he states.

The Guardian - Tech

Access to a sufficient quantity of water of adequate quality for human consumption is a global problem.

Desalination

It includes requirements with respect to the diet of calves, for instance that it contain a sufficient quantity of iron and roughage.

Columbia University

Grate some nutmeg over the surface, and cover them carefully with powdered gingerbread, curry-powder, and a sufficient quantity of Cayenne pepper.

The New York Times

The contractor then digs farther into the bedrock, either by pounding away and pulverizing the rock or drilling through it, until fractures in the bedrock allow a sufficient quantity of water to flow into the hole.

The New York Times

Given a sufficient quantity of highly enriched uranium, a small number of engineers working for a terrorist group like Al Qaeda or Hezbollah could easily assemble a homemade nuclear device.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a sufficient quantity", ensure the context clearly defines what constitutes 'sufficient' for the situation. Be specific about the requirements or purpose that the quantity needs to meet.

Common error

Avoid using "a sufficient quantity" without providing context or criteria for what 'sufficient' means. This can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation. Always clarify the needs or requirements that the quantity must fulfill.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sufficient quantity" functions as a noun phrase, where "sufficient" modifies the noun "quantity". It indicates that the amount of something is adequate to meet a specific need or requirement. As Ludwig indicates, its usability and grammatical correctness are very high.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sufficient quantity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate an adequate amount of something. As affirmed by Ludwig, its usability is very high. It functions as a noun phrase and serves the purpose of communicating that there is enough of something for a particular need or situation. While suitable for various contexts, it appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources. To enhance clarity, it's important to specify what constitutes 'sufficient' in a given context. Alternatives such as "an adequate amount" or "a satisfactory amount" can be used depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adequate amount

Replaces "sufficient" with "adequate" for a slightly less formal tone.

a satisfactory amount

Substitutes "sufficient" with "satisfactory", implying the amount meets a specific need or expectation.

an ample quantity

Replaces "sufficient" with "ample", suggesting the amount is more than enough.

a requisite amount

Substitutes "sufficient" with "requisite", indicating the amount is necessary or essential.

enough

A shorter, more direct way to express that the amount is adequate.

a suitable quantity

Replaces "sufficient" with "suitable", implying the amount is appropriate for a particular purpose.

the necessary quantity

Highlights that the amount is essential and cannot be less.

an adequate supply

Focuses on the provision aspect, using "supply" instead of quantity

a plentiful supply

Highlights abundance, implying a generous amount is available.

a good deal

An informal way to say there is a lot or an abundance of something

FAQs

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

Use "a sufficient quantity" to indicate that there is enough of something to meet a specific need or requirement. For example, "We need "a sufficient quantity" of water to complete the experiment".

What are some alternatives to "a sufficient quantity"?

You can use alternatives like "an adequate amount", "a satisfactory amount", or "an ample quantity" depending on the context.

Is "a sufficient quantity" formal or informal?

"A sufficient quantity" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal contexts, you could use "enough", while more formal contexts might call for "a requisite amount".

What's the difference between "a sufficient quantity" and "a large quantity"?

"A sufficient quantity" means there is enough to meet a need, while "a large quantity" simply means there is a lot, regardless of whether it's needed. "A large quantity" isn't necessarily ""a sufficient quantity"" and vice versa.