be enough to win

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be enough to win" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether a certain amount of effort, skill, or resources is sufficient to achieve victory in a competition or challenge. Example: "If we train hard and stay focused, our performance should be enough to win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Will it be enough to win a World Cup?

Independent

It'll probably be enough to win him a majority.

The Guardian

That said, it may be enough to win in November.

The Economist

That would not be enough to win the presidency.

The Economist

But it may not be enough to win over waverers.

The Economist

But that might not be enough to win this time.

The New York Times

This won't be enough to win him the election.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It might be enough to win in Iowa, it might be enough to win in New Hampshire.

The Guardian

But trying hard may not be enough to win another World Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

It's unclear if even those cutbacks will be enough to win passage.

The New York Times

But this may not be enough to win back voters from the JFK.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, avoid ambiguity by using concrete nouns. Instead of vague statements like "the training will be enough to win", specify: "the rigorous training regimen will be enough to win the championship".

Common error

Avoid using "be enough to win" when the outcome is highly uncertain. A more nuanced approach would be to use phrases that reflect possibility rather than definite success, for example, "may be enough to win" or "could be enough to win."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be enough to win" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing the purpose or potential outcome of a preceding action or situation. It describes whether something meets the necessary standard to achieve victory. This is supported by Ludwig's validation of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be enough to win" is a versatile and frequently used expression that assesses the sufficiency of something to achieve victory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, its formality can be adjusted with alternative vocabulary. When using this phrase, clarity is key; specifying what "enough" refers to and acknowledging uncertainty can prevent misinterpretations. More formal alternatives include phrases like "suffice to secure victory" and "prove adequate for success". Understanding these nuances helps writers effectively convey the likelihood of achieving success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be able to secure the win

Highlights the ability to obtain the win, adding a layer of directness.

be sufficient to triumph

Replaces "win" with "triumph," adding a sense of overcoming significant challenges to achieve victory.

suffice to secure victory

Replaces "be enough" with the more formal "suffice" and "win" with "secure victory", adding a more formal and emphatic tone.

be adequate to gain victory

Focuses on the adequacy of means to obtain victory, stressing sufficiency.

prove adequate for success

Substitutes "be enough" with "prove adequate" and "win" with "success", focusing on the demonstration of suitability for achieving a favorable outcome.

be capable of achieving victory

Emphasizes the capability or potential to win, rather than the certainty.

measure up to winning

Uses a more figurative expression to suggest that something meets the standard required for winning.

meet the requirements for victory

Highlights the necessity of fulfilling specific criteria in order to achieve victory.

get over the line

This is a more colloquial expression that signifies achieving a win or success.

tip the balance

Focuses on achieving a slight advantage to win, often used in close contests.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be enough to win" to sound more formal?

You can use more formal alternatives like "suffice to secure victory", or "prove adequate for success" to elevate the tone of your writing.

What does it mean when something is described as "enough to win"?

It means that the quantity, quality, or degree of something is sufficient to achieve victory or success in a given context. For example, "His talent might "be enough to win" the competition" indicates that his talent is at a level where he could be victorious.

Is "be enough to win" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "be enough to win" is relatively informal. In academic writing, consider more precise and formal alternatives like "be sufficient to triumph" or "be capable of achieving victory" for added gravitas.

What are some common errors to avoid when using "be enough to win"?

A common error is overstating certainty. It's important to avoid using this phrase when the outcome is highly uncertain; instead, use expressions that reflect possibility, such as "may "be enough to win"" or "could "be enough to win"".