be sensitive enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sensitive enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the need for awareness or consideration of others' feelings or situations. Example: "As a leader, it is important to be sensitive enough to understand the challenges your team members are facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then he has to be sensitive enough to give the chosen ones space to do the job.

The Guardian - Sport

It is doubtful that any machine, however sophisticated, will ever be sensitive enough to navigate such a nuanced environment.

The New Yorker

Tactile hairs may be sensitive enough to perceive air vibrations and thus serve as organs for sound reception.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Over the course of an Antarctic night, they will be sensitive enough to find one or two Earthlike planets, about 100 Jupiters and several hundred supernovas.

The New York Times - Science

The assay should, therefore, be sensitive enough to measure β-actin from a single individual cell.

Journal of Biotechnology

It said the infrared imaging sensors would be sensitive enough to follow "dismounted personnel at night".

BBC

Moreover, this technique has proven to be sensitive enough to highlight the effects of a plasma treatment prior to deposition.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Even radiopath-integrated TEC has turned out to be sensitive enough to respond to intense Pc5 waves.

Earth, Planets and Space

The test is reported to be sensitive enough to detect two CTCs in a 5 mL sample of blood [57].

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Models for ecosystem health must be sensitive enough to detect when any part of the ecosystem becomes non-ideal.

Environmental Systems Research

This technique has turned out to be sensitive enough to detect ionospheric signatures of magnetohydrodynamic waves as well.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be sensitive enough to", ensure the context clearly defines what someone or something needs to be sensitive to. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be sensitive enough to" in contexts where a more precise term like "responsive", "aware", or "considerate" would better convey the intended meaning. Overusing general terms can dilute your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sensitive enough to" functions as a predicate adjective describing a necessary quality or attribute. It indicates that something or someone must possess a sufficient degree of sensitivity to achieve a specific outcome, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

19%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be sensitive enough to" is a versatile expression used to convey the necessity of a certain level of awareness, precision, or understanding for a specific purpose. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and very common. As shown in the examples, this phrase finds frequent application in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject needs to be sensitive to. Consider alternatives like "be perceptive enough to" or "be discerning enough to" for more nuanced meanings. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase follows grammar rules, making it a reliable choice for expressing required sensitivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be perceptive enough to

Emphasizes insight and understanding in addition to sensitivity.

be astute enough to

Highlights sharpness and cleverness in perceiving something.

be discerning enough to

Focuses on the ability to distinguish subtle differences.

be responsive enough to

Highlights the ability to react appropriately to stimuli.

be attuned enough to

Emphasizes a state of harmony or resonance with something.

be aware enough to

Stresses consciousness and knowledge of something.

be considerate enough to

Implies thoughtfulness and concern for others.

be qualified enough to

Focuses on possessing the necessary skills or qualities.

be capable enough to

Highlights the general ability to do something.

be equipped enough to

Focuses on having the necessary resources or tools.

FAQs

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

You can use "be sensitive enough to" to describe the capacity to detect subtle changes or to be aware of the feelings of others. For instance, "The instrument needs to be sensitive enough to measure trace amounts of the substance" or "A good leader should be sensitive enough to the needs of their team."

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "be perceptive enough to", "be astute enough to", or "be discerning enough to".

What does it mean when something needs to "be sensitive enough to" detect something?

When something "be sensitive enough to" detect something, it means it possesses the required level of acuity or precision to identify or measure something, even if it's faint or subtle. This is frequently used in scientific and technical contexts.

Is it better to say "be sensitive enough to" or "be aware enough to"?

The choice between "be sensitive enough to" and "be aware enough to" depends on the nuance you want to convey. "Be sensitive enough to" implies a capacity to detect subtleties, whereas "be aware enough to" suggests a general knowledge or consciousness of something. In contexts about feelings, choose "sensitive"; in those about information, "aware" is often better.