badly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something happened in a particularly bad or extreme way. For example: "She failed the test badly enough that she had to retake it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The unemployed want jobs badly enough.

The New York Times

The inning had started badly enough.

The New York Times

I twisted my knee badly enough to have rehab".

The New York Times

You have to want them badly enough to find them.

The New York Times

If you want something badly enough, it can be yours.

The Guardian - Opinion

The players felt badly enough without getting screamed at.

The New York Times - Sports

If they want something badly enough, they will buy it.

The Guardian - Opinion

They're certainly both dressed badly enough for the jobs.

The Guardian - Sport

Yes, probably, if they want it badly enough.

The Guardian

Not enough of us want it badly enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

Half a millimetre will chip a space-shuttle window badly enough for it to need replacing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly enough" to emphasize the extent to which something is deficient or the intensity of a desire. For instance, "The injury wasn't serious enough to require surgery."

Common error

Avoid using "badly enough" when a milder expression of deficiency or desire suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic. Instead, consider if a simpler "badly" or "enough" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly enough" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the verb or adjective it accompanies. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphasizes the degree to which something is deficient or the intensity of a desire, adding emotional weight to the statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Opinion

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "badly enough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adverbial phrase that intensifies the meaning of verbs or adjectives. According to Ludwig AI, it's suitable for emphasizing the degree of deficiency or the intensity of a desire across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and opinion pieces. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider more precise alternatives in highly formal settings. Related phrases include "not nearly enough" and "desperately wanting", which offer similar shades of meaning. Overall, understanding its function and appropriate contexts ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not nearly enough

Emphasizes that something falls far short of what is needed.

not good enough

A more general way to express a lack of required quality.

sufficiently poorly

Emphasizes the inadequate quality or performance to a required degree.

desperately wanting

Focuses on an intense desire for something.

severely deficiently

Highlights a strong degree of lacking or inadequacy.

acutely desiring

Implies a sharp, intense level of wanting something.

intensely craving

Highlights a strong craving or longing.

gravely inadequately

Conveys a serious level of insufficiency or poorness.

not up to par

Suggests the subject is below the expected standard.

inadequate to the task

Indicates a lack of capability or suitability.

FAQs

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

You can use "badly enough" to emphasize the intensity of a desire or the severity of a situation. For example, "He wanted the promotion "badly enough" to work overtime" or "The car was damaged "badly enough" to be totaled".

What are some alternatives to "badly enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "not nearly enough", "desperately wanting", or "severely deficiently".

Is it correct to say "bad enough" instead of "badly enough"?

While "bad enough" and "badly enough" might seem similar, they have different uses. "Bad enough" usually describes a situation that is already negative but could be worse. "Badly enough" emphasizes the degree to which something is deficient or wanted. Choose the one that best fits the context.

How does the formality of a text affect the use of "badly enough"?

The phrase "badly enough" is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from news articles to casual conversations. However, in highly formal or scientific writing, you might prefer more precise or technical alternatives.