are not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"are not enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an inadequate quantity or amount of something. For example: "The funds allocated for the project are not enough to cover all of the costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Photos are not enough.

The Economist

"Words are not enough".

The New York Times

Light arms are not enough.

BBC

There are not enough now.

The New York Times - Health

There are not enough toilets.

The New York Times

Privacy policies are not enough.

The New York Times

But those are not enough.

The New Yorker

Vague promises are not enough.

The New York Times

But they are not enough.

The New York Times

Authentic elephants are not enough,.

The New Yorker

Algorithms alone are not enough.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are not enough", ensure that the subject and verb agree in number. For example, "resources are not enough" (plural) versus "the resource is not enough" (singular).

Common error

Avoid using "are not enough" with non-countable nouns if you mean a shortage of individual items. Use "is not enough" for non-countable nouns; otherwise, rephrase to use countable nouns, like saying "there aren't enough chairs" instead of "the seating are not enough."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not enough" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating that a subject lacks the necessary quantity or quality. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, and the examples show it used to express inadequacy across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are not enough" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that something is insufficient. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage, and the provided examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian demonstrate its frequent occurrence in News & Media. When writing, remember that it requires a plural subject. If you need alternatives, consider using phrases such as "fall short" or "prove insufficient". Be mindful of potential errors by ensuring the subject-verb agreement, and avoiding its use with non-countable nouns.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inadequate

Uses the adjective "inadequate" to describe the lack.

prove insufficient

Replaces "enough" with "insufficient" for emphasis.

do not suffice

Employs a more formal verb "suffice" to convey inadequacy.

are deficient

Employs the adjective "deficient" to point out the shortcoming.

fall short

Uses a verb phrase to indicate failure to meet a requirement.

are not equal to the task

Specifies the inadequacy in relation to a particular task or challenge.

are wanting

Uses "wanting" to indicate something is lacking.

aren't up to par

Employs an idiomatic expression signifying substandard quality or quantity.

are not up to snuff

Similar to "aren't up to par", this idiom suggests a failure to meet expectations.

leave something to be desired

Expresses that something is lacking or not fully satisfactory.

FAQs

How to use "are not enough" in a sentence?

The phrase "are not enough" is used to indicate that something is insufficient or inadequate. For example, "The resources allocated for the project are not enough to complete it successfully."

What can I say instead of "are not enough"?

You can use alternatives like "fall short", "prove insufficient", or "are inadequate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are not enough" or "is not enough"?

"Are not enough" is used with plural nouns, while "is not enough" is used with singular or uncountable nouns. For example, "The resources are not enough," but "The time is not enough."

What's the difference between "are not enough" and "are insufficient"?

While both phrases convey a lack of something, "are not enough" is generally more common and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. "Are insufficient" might be perceived as slightly more formal.