bad enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bad enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation or condition is sufficiently negative or serious. Example: "The weather was bad enough that we had to cancel the outdoor event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bad camera sound is bad enough!

WikiHow

Bad enough.

The New York Times

This was bad enough.

The Economist

Athens was bad enough.

Independent

That's bad enough.

The New York Times

That is bad enough.

The Economist

That was bad enough.

The New York Times

THINGS are bad enough.

The Economist

That would be bad enough.

The New York Times

The killing was bad enough.

The New York Times - Books

Yet things were bad enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bad enough" to express that a situation is already significantly negative and doesn't need further aggravation. For example: "The traffic was "bad enough" without the added construction delays."

Common error

While "bad enough" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and nuanced vocabulary to convey the severity of the situation. Alternatives include "sufficiently detrimental" or "critically flawed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bad enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or situation to indicate it has reached a concerning degree of negativity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. This is similar to expressions like "serious enough" or "difficult enough".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bad enough" is a grammatically correct and common way to express that a situation is already significantly negative. Ludwig AI analysis shows it functions as an adjectival phrase, typically used in neutral to informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While widely accepted, it's important to consider the formality of the context and choose more precise language when necessary. Related phrases, such as "sufficiently awful" or "terrible as it is", can provide alternative ways to express similar sentiments. Understanding its nuances allows for more effective and appropriate use in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently awful

Replaces "bad" with "awful" and "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing the negativity of the situation.

terrible as it is

Focuses on the present state of being terrible without necessarily comparing it to something worse.

already quite poor

Highlights the existing poor condition, suggesting it's at an unacceptable level.

unpleasant as it stands

Emphasizes the unpleasantness of the current situation without requiring further aggravation.

lamentable state of affairs

Replaces the more casual "bad" with a formal expression for something regrettable or deplorable.

unfortunate as things are

Focuses on the unfortunate nature of the current situation.

deplorable situation

Indicates a strong disapproval of the circumstances.

regrettable condition

Emphasizes the regret associated with the present state.

undesirable circumstances

A more formal way of expressing that the current conditions are not wanted.

suboptimal circumstances

A less emotionally charged way to describe circumstances which are not ideal.

FAQs

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

You can use "bad enough" to express that a situation is already significantly negative or problematic. For example, "The weather was "bad enough" that we had to cancel the picnic".

What are some alternatives to saying "bad enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "sufficiently awful", "terrible as it is", or "already quite poor".

Is it appropriate to use "bad enough" in formal writing?

While "bad enough" is grammatically correct, it might be too informal for certain types of formal writing. Consider using more sophisticated vocabulary to convey the severity of the situation, such as "sufficiently detrimental" or "critically flawed".

What's the difference between "bad enough" and "serious enough"?

"Bad enough" implies that something is already significantly negative and doesn't need to be worse, while "serious enough" indicates that something has reached a concerning level of importance or risk. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the negativity or the gravity of the situation.