astute enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "astute enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is perceptive or shrewd in a particular situation or context. Example: "She was astute enough to recognize the potential risks before making her investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I'm pretty sure he is astute enough, I'm not silly.

The Guardian - Sport

But he is astute enough to confess that the BJP's own standards of probity have lapsed.

The Economist

I wish I'd been astute enough to realize that the rehearsal schedule was unworkable.

The New York Times - Arts

He is astute enough, or he is advised by someone astute enough, to know that memorising a 7,000-word 7,000-worddo a "walk and talk" ispeechreally old politocs of a few years ago.

Independent

Mr Cameron was astute enough to have a few private doubts about the war, but he voted in favour.

Independent

The trick, he said, is to be "astute enough to pick out the patterns that connect you to the DNA".

The New York Times - Science

Some are astute enough to recognize that the alleged imminent W.M.D. threat to the U.S. was a pretext.

The New Yorker

But then things do seem to have a habit of coming her way, although she's astute enough to acknowledge this.

The Guardian - Film

Bush, about six months into his presidency, was astute enough to ask for a threat assessment on the home front.

The New York Times

"Roger Tilles is astute enough to know the ability to effectively compromise is what solves problems," he said.

The New York Times

Ravenhill is astute enough to allow a measure of sympathy for the military officials forced to follow inflexible rules.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "astute enough" to describe someone who is not only intelligent but also possesses a keen awareness and understanding of the situation at hand. This implies they can anticipate outcomes and act accordingly.

Common error

Avoid using "astute enough" in contexts where simple intelligence or common sense would suffice. The phrase carries a nuance of insightful understanding that is best reserved for situations requiring genuine shrewdness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "astute enough" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that someone possesses a sufficient level of keen intelligence, shrewdness, and perceptiveness. Ludwig confirms that this is a standard construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "astute enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression, used to describe a sufficient level of intelligence and perceptiveness. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical structure is standard and well-accepted. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both professional and general communication. While similar alternatives like "shrewd enough" and "perceptive enough" exist, "astute enough" carries a specific connotation of keen awareness that should be considered when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shrewd enough

Replaces "astute" with "shrewd", emphasizing practical intelligence.

perceptive enough

Substitutes "astute" with "perceptive", highlighting the ability to notice and understand things.

clever enough

Uses "clever" in place of "astute", focusing on quick-witted intelligence.

intelligent enough

Replaces "astute" with "intelligent", emphasizing general mental capacity.

wise enough

Substitutes "astute" with "wise", highlighting good judgment and experience.

smart enough

Uses "smart" instead of "astute", focusing on practical intelligence and knowledge.

sharp enough

Replaces "astute" with "sharp", emphasizing quickness of mind and perception.

discerning enough

Substitutes "astute" with "discerning", emphasizing the ability to distinguish subtle differences.

insightful enough

Uses "insightful" instead of "astute", focusing on the ability to understand the hidden nature of things.

sensible enough

Replaces "astute" with "sensible", highlighting the ability to make practical and logical decisions.

FAQs

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

You can use "astute enough" to describe someone who is perceptive and understands a situation well. For example, "She was "astute enough" to see through his lies."

What can I say instead of "astute enough"?

You can use alternatives like "shrewd enough", "perceptive enough", or "clever enough" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "astute enough" or "smart enough"?

Both ""astute enough"" and "smart enough" are correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Astute enough" implies a keen awareness and understanding, while "smart enough" simply means intelligent enough.

What's the difference between "astute enough" and "wise enough"?

"Astute enough" suggests sharpness and quick understanding, while "wise enough" implies experience and good judgment. Astuteness is more about immediate insight, while wisdom is about long-term perspective.