be good enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'be good enough' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to try to meet an expectation or standard, or when you are encouraging someone to do something to a satisfactory level. For example: "If you keep trying, I'm sure you can be good enough to get an A on the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And that may be good enough".

The New York Times

Is it going to be good enough?

The New York Times - Sports

What will be good enough?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Will it be good enough?

The New York Times

Will I be good enough?

The New York Times - Sports

That won't be good enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Would they be good enough?

The New York Times - Magazine

That's not going to be good enough".

The New York Times

That may no longer be good enough.

The New York Times

Hopefully that will be good enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Collecting points would not be good enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be good enough" when you want to express that a certain minimum standard needs to be met, but exceeding it is not necessary. It can help set realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "be good enough" in contexts where excellence is expected. Overusing this phrase can imply a lack of ambition or commitment to high standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be good enough" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of something meeting a certain standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it implies a level of sufficiency. It often assesses whether a minimum threshold has been met, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

14%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be good enough" is a versatile phrase used to express that something meets a certain standard or expectation without needing to be exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It's commonly found in news, media, and general contexts, signaling a neutral tone suitable for various situations. While aiming for excellence is often desirable, "be good enough" acknowledges the importance of setting realistic expectations and achieving a satisfactory level of quality or performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficient

Synonymous, but places more emphasis on the degree to which something meets the need.

be acceptable

Highlights the acceptance or approval of something based on its suitability.

meet the requirements

Focuses specifically on fulfilling a set of criteria.

be adequate

Emphasizes that something is just enough to meet a requirement, without being exceptional.

suffice

A more concise and formal way of saying something meets the requirements.

measure up

Implies a comparison against a standard or expectation.

fill the bill

An informal idiom indicating that something is exactly what is needed.

be up to par

An idiomatic expression suggesting that something reaches the expected standard.

pass muster

Suggests that something has been inspected and found to be acceptable.

cut it

An informal way to express that something is acceptable or suitable.

FAQs

How can I use "be good enough" in a sentence?

You can use "be good enough" to express whether something meets a certain standard or expectation. For example, "Will this solution "be good enough" to solve the problem?" or "I hope my performance will "be good enough" for the promotion."

What are some alternatives to "be good enough"?

Alternatives to "be good enough" include "be sufficient", "be adequate", or "meet the requirements". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "good enough" subjective or objective?

Whether "good enough" is subjective or objective depends on the situation. In some cases, there are clear, measurable criteria for what constitutes "good enough". In other situations, it may depend on personal preferences or opinions.

When is it appropriate to aim for "good enough" instead of perfection?

Aiming for "good enough" can be appropriate when time or resources are limited, or when striving for perfection would be impractical or counterproductive. It can also be suitable when the marginal benefit of further improvement is minimal.