be enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express sufficiency or adequacy in various contexts, often in relation to resources, time, or effort. Example: "I hope that this amount of money will be enough to cover all our expenses for the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Threats may be enough.

The New York Times

Will that be enough?

The New York Times

That would be enough.

The New York Times - Books

That will be enough.

The New York Times - Books

Would that be enough?

The New Yorker

Four would be enough.

The New York Times

Wouldn't eight be enough?

The Economist

Could that be enough?

The New York Times

That may be enough.

The New York Times - Science

It could be enough.

The New York Times

Would $220 be enough?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context when choosing between "be enough" and more formal alternatives like "suffice" or "be sufficient".

Common error

While versatile, "be enough" can sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Opt for synonyms like "suffice" or "be adequate" in academic papers or business reports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be enough" functions as a predicate complement, indicating that a subject possesses the necessary quantity, quality, or ability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English to express sufficiency or adequacy. It frequently appears after modal verbs like "will", "should", or "could".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be enough" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate sufficiency or adequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in wikis and scientific literature. While "be enough" serves well in many situations, considering the formality of the setting and opting for synonyms like "suffice" or "be sufficient" in more formal writing enhances precision and sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficient

This is a more formal alternative with nearly identical meaning.

suffice

This is a more formal and concise way of saying something is sufficient.

be adequate

Implies a minimum level of acceptance or suitability, slightly weaker than "enough".

do the trick

An idiomatic expression meaning to achieve the desired result.

fill the bill

An idiomatic expression meaning to meet the requirements or serve the purpose.

be ample

Suggests there is more than enough; abundant.

meet the needs

Focuses on satisfying specific requirements or demands.

be the answer

Suggests that something will resolve a problem or fulfill a need.

measure up

Implies a comparison against a standard or expectation.

pass muster

Suggests something barely meets the required standard or scrutiny.

FAQs

How to use "be enough" in a sentence?

The phrase "be enough" is used to indicate that something is sufficient or adequate for a particular purpose. For example, "Will this money "be enough" to buy groceries?"

What can I say instead of "be enough"?

You can use alternatives like "suffice", "be sufficient", or "be adequate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be enough" or "is enough"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they serve different purposes. "Is enough" is used when referring to a specific subject (e.g., "This is enough"), while "be enough" is used in broader contexts or with modal verbs (e.g., "This should "be enough"").

What's the difference between "be enough" and "is sufficient"?

"Is sufficient" is a more formal way of expressing the same idea as ""be enough"". "Is sufficient" is often preferred in academic or professional writing.