a sufficient quantity of

USAGE SUMMARY

"a sufficient quantity of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the amount or amount of something necessary to achieve a desired result. For example: "We need to order a sufficient quantity of supplies in order to keep up with customer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

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

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

"The only difficulty now lies in procuring a sufficient quantity of Spiders Bags to make any considerable work of it," Bon wrote in a letter to Britain's Royal Society the following year.

The New Yorker

Only if voyagers through the after-life were armed with a sufficient quantity of spells and incantations could they hope to negotiate these perils – and that was where the Book of the Dead came in.

The Guardian

Pro tip: if you cover a cake in a sufficient quantity of holographic glitter (about £2-3 a pot), it creates a sort of shimmering disco halo around your creation, blinding observers to its awfulness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sufficient quantity of" when you want to emphasize that there is enough of something to meet a specific need or requirement. It's suitable for both formal and semi-formal contexts.

Common error

While "a sufficient quantity of" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "enough" or "plenty of" can often be more appropriate and natural-sounding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sufficient quantity of" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a noun. It indicates that the amount of something is adequate or meets a certain requirement. Ludwig's examples demonstrate how it modifies various nouns to specify a satisfactory amount.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sufficient quantity of" is a versatile phrase used to indicate an adequate amount of something, suitable for meeting a specific requirement. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from scientific research to news reporting. While "a sufficient quantity of" is a useful and correct phrase, remember to consider your audience and context, opting for simpler alternatives like "enough" when appropriate. Understanding its function and purpose allows for effective and precise communication in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an adequate amount of

Replaces "quantity" with "amount", slightly changing the focus from countable items to a more general measure.

enough of

A more concise and informal way of saying there is the necessary amount.

a requisite amount of

Substitutes "sufficient" with "requisite", indicating something that is essential or necessary.

an ample supply of

Emphasizes the idea of a readily available source or stock.

a good deal of

More informal, implying a considerable, but not necessarily precisely measured, amount.

a fair amount of

Similar to "a good deal of", but perhaps suggesting a slightly smaller quantity.

a satisfactory measure of

Focuses on the acceptability of the amount, implying it meets requirements.

a considerable volume of

Highlights the bulk or size of the quantity.

an abundance of

Suggests a plentiful or overflowing amount, more than strictly necessary.

a more than adequate supply of

Emphasizes that there is more than the minimal needed amount.

FAQs

How do I use "a sufficient quantity of" in a sentence?

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

What are some alternatives to "a sufficient quantity of"?

You can use alternatives like "enough", "an adequate amount of", or "plenty of", depending on the context. For example, you could say "We have "enough" supplies for the trip" instead of "We have "a sufficient quantity of" supplies for the trip".

Is it better to use "amount" or "quantity" with "sufficient"?

"Amount" generally refers to uncountable nouns, while "quantity" refers to countable nouns. Therefore, use "a sufficient amount of" for things like water or time, and ""a sufficient quantity of"" for things like books or apples.

When is it appropriate to use "a sufficient quantity of" instead of "enough"?

Use "a sufficient quantity of" in more formal contexts or when you want to emphasize the adequacy of the amount. "Enough" is suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing.