be good enough in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be good enough in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's proficiency or competence in a particular skill or subject area. Example: "To succeed in this role, you need to be good enough in project management to lead a team effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The president can thus make a case that she has done her best, but her best may not be good enough in the eyes of the voters.

The Economist

Will she be good enough in the long run to join the ranks of UConn legends like Rebecca Lobo, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi?

The New York Times - Sports

But with good intelligence even the majority of those have been thwarted.That leads on to whether the intelligence will be good enough in the future and thus the much more ideological question of how to balance liberty against security.

The Economist

Being "competent in Microsoft Office" is not going to be good enough in the 21st century workforce – employees will be required to have a deeper understanding of how technology works and have the skills to create digital content.

The Guardian

Her filly showed improved form on her most recent outing when fourth in this grade at Chantilly and a reproduction of that form may be good enough in what is a wide-open affair on paper.

The Guardian - Sport

That does not mean he cannot win the World Hurdle, of course – perhaps less than his very best will still be good enough in an ordinary year – but Nick Williams has great faith in his stamina-laden Reve De Sivola and Noel Meade would not swap his progressive six-year-old Monksland.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

At Wisconsin, Wilson was good enough in these areas to compensate.

The New York Times

It has been good enough in the past for prime ministers, presidents, chancellors and Jackie Stewart.

The Guardian - Sport

Corporate results were good enough in the third quarter of this year, around 18% higher than in the same period of 1999.

The Economist

Mr. Kobborg, seen at the Royal Danish Ballet's Bournonville Festival in 1992 in Copenhagen, was good enough in the "Black Swan".

The New York Times - Arts

Absolutely nothing about your body – you are told and, indeed, tell yourself – is good enough in its natural state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When evaluating skills, specify the context where someone needs to "be good enough in". For example, "She needs to be good enough in data analysis to lead the project effectively."

Common error

Avoid using "be good enough in" without a clear standard or comparison. Saying "He's good enough" lacks context. Instead, specify the area, such as "He's good enough in coding to contribute to the project"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be good enough in" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the degree to which someone or something meets a certain standard or requirement within a specific area. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a level of competency.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be good enough in" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe whether someone meets a certain standard of ability or competence in a particular area. As Ludwig AI notes, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. When using the phrase, ensure you specify the skill or area in question to provide context. Alternatives such as ""be proficient in"" or "be competent in" can offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be proficient in

Focuses more on skill and expertise than simple adequacy.

be skilled in

Highlights the possession of specific skills, differing slightly from general adequacy.

be competent in

Emphasizes the ability to perform tasks effectively, suggesting a higher degree of capability.

be adequate in

Indicates a basic level of sufficiency, potentially less demanding than being "good enough".

be satisfactory in

Suggests meeting a minimum requirement or standard, implying a less ambitious level of performance.

measure up in

Highlights comparison against a defined benchmark or standard of measurement.

hold up in

This phrase indicates the ability to withstand scrutiny or function effectively under pressure.

be up to par in

Focuses on meeting an expected level of performance or quality, particularly within a specific field or activity.

suffice in

Highlights basic necessity and usefulness for something or in some context, and changes the word choice.

cut it in

More informal, colloquial alternative indicating whether someone meets the required standard in a particular situation.

FAQs

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

Use "be good enough in" to describe someone's competency or ability to meet the required standard within a specific area. For instance, "She needs to "be proficient in" communication to excel in customer service".

What's a more formal alternative to "be good enough in"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "be competent in", ""be proficient in"", or "be adept at". These options convey a higher degree of skill and professionalism.

Is it always appropriate to use "be good enough in"?

While "be good enough in" is generally acceptable, it might not be suitable in contexts that demand exceptional skill. In such cases, use more descriptive terms highlighting expertise or mastery.

How does "be good enough in" differ from "be sufficient in"?

"Be good enough in" implies a satisfactory level of skill or ability, while "be sufficient in" suggests meeting a minimum requirement. The former is more positive and proactive than the latter.