adequate enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'adequate enough' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that is not necessarily great, but is satisfactory for a certain purpose. For example: The makeshift shelter I built was adequate enough to keep me out of the rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sure "first began" and "sum total" are best avoided, and "adequate enough" is plainly awful.

The Guardian

No. Al-Azhar's response to this conference was not nearly adequate enough for me".

The New Yorker

But, usually this method may not be adequate enough to indicate satisfactory results.

Measurement

Help did not arrive in adequate enough numbers or in nearly enough time.

The New York Times

Working on individual and isolated material components is no longer adequate enough to solve sophisticated engineering problems in industry.

The Journal of High Technology Management Research

To be fair, he's now delivering an adequate enough address, full of noble words in both English and French.

The Guardian

Using some classical schemes to solve the inviscid flow in Lagrangian coordinate may be not adequate enough to correctly describe flow motion in the discretized space.

Journal of Computational Physics

Farah had been targeting a British record but victory proved an adequate enough compensation as he sped away from the Kenyan Augustine Choge to win in 7min 39.55sec.

The Guardian - Sport

Recent studies indicate that a classical model of additive noise is not adequate enough for images formed by modern multichannel sensors operating in visible and infrared bands.

Expert Systems with Applications

The review has been examining if trusts have already taken action adequate enough to improve care quality or if they require extra support.

Independent

They may perceive themselves as not being good enough — or competent enough or adequate enough — and experience accompanying feelings of shame, anxiety or depression.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "adequate enough" when you want to convey a sense of something being just sufficient, without necessarily being excellent. It's useful in situations where perfection isn't required, but a certain standard must be met.

Common error

While "adequate enough" is acceptable, avoid its overuse in formal contexts. Opt for more concise and professional synonyms like "sufficient" or "satisfactory" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "adequate enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the degree to which something meets a certain requirement or standard, indicating it is just sufficient. Ludwig confirms the phrase's acceptability and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

42%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "adequate enough" is a common and acceptable way to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or is just sufficient for a particular purpose. While some consider it redundant, Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider more concise alternatives like "sufficient" or "satisfactory" for formal settings. The phrase is generally deemed grammatically correct and conveys a sense of basic acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

good enough

More informal and direct, suggesting a pragmatic acceptance.

sufficient

Single word replacement, more formal and concise.

acceptable

Focuses on meeting a specific standard or requirement.

satisfactory

Indicates a level of acceptance, with slight connotation of meeting expectations.

suitable

Emphasizes appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

serviceable

Highlights the functionality and ability to fulfill a purpose.

competent

Highlights the ability to meet the requirements of a task or role.

passable

Implies a minimal level of acceptance, often with a hint of negativity.

decent

More general term, indicating a reasonable level of quality.

all right

Informal expression, indicating a level of acceptance without enthusiasm.

FAQs

How can I use "adequate enough" in a sentence?

You can use "adequate enough" to describe something that meets the minimum requirements or is just sufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "The training was adequate enough to prepare them for the basic tasks".

What are some alternatives to "adequate enough"?

Some alternatives to "adequate enough" include "sufficient", "satisfactory", or "good enough", depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "adequate enough" redundant?

Some may consider "adequate enough" slightly redundant, as "adequate" itself implies a sufficient level. However, the phrase is commonly used and generally understood to emphasize a minimal level of sufficiency.

Which is correct, "adequate enough" or "more than adequate"?

"Adequate enough" implies a minimal level of sufficiency, while "more than adequate" suggests that something exceeds the requirements. The choice depends on the degree to which something meets the necessary standards.