be predictable enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be predictable enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the level of predictability required for a certain outcome or behavior. Example: "In order to succeed in this market, your product must be predictable enough to meet customer expectations consistently."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Robots may, in some respects, not be predictable enough to be used in war: even technicians will not know exactly what to expect from machines that make their own choices, and the average commander in the field who deploys them will be even more at a loss.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This link is predictable enough to qualify as an economic law, named after Arthur Okun, who showed that when America's GDP fell by 2%, its unemployment rate rose by about half that.

The Economist

A first important measure consists in designing exercises that allow some freedom to the learners in producing answers, but that are predictable enough to be handled by ASR.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

In a paper published in Science (8 January, p. 158), they reported that, again, the microbial dance was predictable enough to set a clock.

Science Magazine

The track has a good rock meets R&B sound and is predictable enough to get radio play".

Wikipedia

In addition, even if conditions are predictable enough to favour learning, if collecting information is too costly (e.g. if sampling is dangerous; Sih 1992), then learning might not be favoured.

Evolutionary Applications

By focusing on the dynamic nature of trade relations between Ethiopia and China, this study aims to contribute to the debate on the extent to which the on-going trade relations will be predictable enough for mutual benefits of the two countries, with in the broader context of China - Africa relations, and South - South relations.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

But there is still a fierce debate about whether these movements are predictable enough for investors to make money trading on the basis of expected price changes.

The Economist

The researchers' results are predictable enough and boil down to the fact that stereotypical boys' and girls' toys encourage and repress various types of learning and behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Alan Smith Swansea City 1-2 TottenHotspurspur Leicester's defeat to Manchester City on Saturday was predictable enough on the face of it but, with the champions considerably weakened and arriving on the back of their midweek's exertions in Rome, it was hard to shake off the feeling that Nigel Pearson's side would have produced something slightly more barnstorming three months ago.

The Guardian - Sport

They're predictable enough, though, unusually for this company, there's what appears to be a gay duet.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be predictable enough to", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject needs to be predictable for. This clarifies the purpose and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be predictable enough to" without specifying the goal or outcome. For instance, instead of saying "The system needs to be predictable enough to", state "The system needs to be predictable enough to prevent errors".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be predictable enough to" functions as a predicate adjective followed by an infinitive of purpose. It describes a quality (predictability) that something needs to possess to a sufficient degree in order to achieve a specified outcome, as supported by Ludwig's analysis.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be predictable enough to" is grammatically correct and serves to express the necessity of a certain level of predictability for a specific purpose. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that the goal or outcome is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "be sufficiently predictable to" and "have sufficient predictability to" exist, choosing the most appropriate one depends on the specific nuance you aim to convey. Overall, it is a valid and useful phrase to ensure the reader gets the correct context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be sufficiently predictable to

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing adequacy.

be predictable to a sufficient degree to

Adds "to a sufficient degree", making it more explicit.

have sufficient predictability to

Shifts the focus to possessing predictability rather than being predictable.

be reliably predictable to

Emphasizes the reliability aspect of predictability.

be predictably adequate to

Uses "adequately" instead of "enough" and changes the word order.

be predictable to the extent necessary to

Specifies the degree of predictability as 'necessary'.

possess the required predictability to

Highlights the necessity of a specific level of predictability.

be within acceptable predictability limits to

Introduces the idea of limits to predictability.

demonstrate adequate predictability for

Focuses on demonstrating predictability rather than just being predictable.

exhibit a predictable pattern sufficient for

Emphasizes a pattern rather than a general state of being predictable.

FAQs

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

Use "be predictable enough to" when you want to express that something needs a certain level of predictability in order to achieve a specific outcome. For example: "The model needs to "be predictable enough to" forecast market trends accurately".

What are some alternatives to "be predictable enough to"?

You can use alternatives such as "be sufficiently predictable to", "have sufficient predictability to", or "be reliably predictable to" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "be predictable enough to" follows standard English grammar rules and is used in various contexts to describe a required level of predictability.

When is it appropriate to use "be predictable enough to" in writing?

It is appropriate when you need to emphasize that a certain level of predictability is essential for a specific purpose or outcome. For example, "The robot must "be predictable enough to" interact safely with humans".