be low enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be low enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where something reaches an acceptable level or amount. For example, "The quality of the water must be low enough to be safe to drink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They should be low enough to support accumulating snow.

The Washington Post

For the practical application of GMMs, the escape frequency should be low enough to ensure biosafety.

Nature

Taxes must be low enough to encourage investment, but high enough to raise revenues.

The Economist

The counting rate in the zero order image may then be low enough to avoid pile-up.

Harvard University

Most financial firms have already marked down these assets to prices that might be low enough to lure buyers.

The New York Times

The viscosity of the nylon phase should be low enough to shift the phase inversion towards higher rubber content.

Polymer

Most importantly, Ms. Strouse argued, any new building would have to be low enough to let sunlight reach the square.

The New York Times

"The real question is, can the cost basis of the batteries be low enough to be competitive?" asks Braun.

The Guardian

The amount had to be low enough to "pass the laugh test," one of those lawyers later said.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps worst of all, a jobless rate of 7 percent would not be low enough to push up wages.

The New York Times

The key point is that the licensing fee should be low enough to entice the "infringers' to settle rather than go through messy litigation.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be low enough to", ensure that the context clearly specifies what standard or requirement is being met by the low level. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be low enough to" without specifying what the level is adequate for. Always provide the standard to ensure clarity. For example, instead of "The price should be low enough to", say "The price should be low enough to attract buyers."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be low enough to" functions as a connector, specifically indicating a necessary condition or threshold. Ludwig AI confirms this, as the phrase is used to show that something needs to reach a certain low level in order for a specific outcome to be achieved. This function is supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be low enough to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used connector that indicates a necessary condition or threshold. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's wide applicability and correctness. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing, expressing that a certain standard must be met by reaching a low level to enable a particular result. While versatile, clarity is key: always specify what standard is being met. Related phrases like "be sufficiently low to" offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember to specify the comparison standard to prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficiently low to

Emphasizes that the level needs to be adequate for a specific purpose.

reach a low enough level to

Emphasizes the process of reaching a specific threshold.

be underneath the threshold of

Focuses on the boundary and being below a certain limit.

be reduced to the point of

Focuses on the action of reducing something to a specific level.

be at a minimum required for

Indicates a baseline or least acceptable value.

be small enough to

Highlights the size or magnitude as the determining factor.

be barely adequate to

Suggests the level is just sufficient, with little margin for error.

be depressed to the degree that

Highlights a decline to a certain point, often used in economic contexts.

be at the nadir necessary to

A more formal way to say the level reached a low point in order to.

descend to a level where

Stresses the downward movement to reach a required level.

FAQs

How can I use "be low enough to" in a sentence?

The phrase "be low enough to" is used to indicate that a certain level or amount must be reached in order for a specific outcome to occur. For instance, "The temperature must "be low enough to" prevent spoilage" means the temperature needs to reach a certain low to stop food from spoiling.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "be low enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "be sufficiently low to", "reach a low enough level to", or "be small enough to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "be low enough to"?

Yes, "be low enough to" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard English structure of "be" + adjective + "enough" + "to" + verb, expressing a condition for a certain result.

What's the difference between "be low enough to" and "be sufficiently low to"?

While both phrases express a similar idea, "be sufficiently low to" emphasizes that the level is adequate for a particular purpose, while "be low enough to" simply indicates that a certain low level is required for something to happen.