be special enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be special enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a condition or requirement for something or someone to be considered special or significant in a particular context. Example: "You need to be special enough to stand out in this competitive environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In fact, if you substitute crème fraîche, whipped cream or ice cream for the Greek yogurt, they would be special enough to serve to company.

The New York Times - Food

This device, and the software it runs, might be special enough to make a mark in the ebook reader scene.

TechCrunch

It might not be special enough to be called an iPad-killer, but seems to be everything we want in an Android tablet.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Which is special enough to give me an excuse to post... this.

The Guardian - Sport

Higher-priced hand-etched and blown glasses are special enough to showcase in your home.

The New York Times

These, made of vintage scarf material by Pamela Barsky, a Los Angeles designer, are special enough to keep.

The New York Times

"We, frankly, think this spot is special enough to warrant running on the Super Bowl," Mr. Goeler said.

The New York Times

The benefit of the doubt — the belief that this player is special enough to defy age and produce at a high level for another decade — fueled both contracts.

The New York Times - Sports

It turns out that construction workers had unwittingly dumped dirt on a rock that is special enough to have its own name in Icelandic folklore: Alfkonusteinn.

The New York Times

It appears that even during the Maggie-Ron love-in, no relationship was special enough to warrant putting a British guy in charge.

The Guardian - Books

"You have to feel a movie is special enough to have a chance to get the teen-ager off the couch from playing Call of Duty with his friends.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "be special enough to" when you want to indicate that something or someone needs to possess unique qualities or characteristics to achieve a particular outcome or recognition. Ensure the context clearly defines what 'special' entails.

Common error

Avoid using "be special enough to" in situations where the criteria for 'special' are highly subjective and undefined. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken your statement. Instead, provide specific qualities or attributes that are necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be special enough to" functions as an adjectival phrase followed by an infinitive. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a required level of uniqueness or distinction for a particular action or outcome. Ludwig examples show it qualifying a device's features or a person's qualities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be special enough to" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase expressing the necessity of possessing unique qualities for a specific outcome. Ludwig identifies that while the phrase is somewhat rare, it is mainly seen in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the criteria for what constitutes “special” are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "be remarkable enough to" or "be exceptional enough to" can offer nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be remarkable enough to

Replaces "special" with "remarkable", emphasizing the quality of being noteworthy.

be exceptional enough to

Substitutes "special" with "exceptional", highlighting the quality of being outstanding.

be adequate enough to

Replaces "special" with "adequate", focusing on meeting a minimum requirement.

be sufficient to

Uses "sufficient" to indicate being enough for a specific purpose, simplifying the original phrase.

be qualified enough to

Emphasizes the possession of necessary skills or qualities, shifting the focus slightly.

be good enough to

Replaces "special" with "good", indicating a basic level of acceptability.

be worthy enough to

Uses "worthy" to suggest deserving of something, adding a sense of merit.

be impressive enough to

Substitutes "special" with "impressive", emphasizing the quality of eliciting admiration.

be distinctive enough to

Replaces "special" with "distinctive", highlighting the quality of being clearly different or unique.

be notable enough to

Uses "notable" to indicate deserving attention, focusing on prominence or significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "be special enough to" to express a condition that needs to be met to achieve a specific outcome. For example, "The performance needs to be special enough to win an award."

What's a good alternative to "be special enough to"?

Alternatives include "be remarkable enough to", "be exceptional enough to", or "be qualified enough to", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to use "be special enough to" or "be good enough to"?

The choice depends on the context. "Be good enough to" implies a basic level of acceptability, while "be special enough to" suggests a higher standard of uniqueness or distinction. For example, a player might "be good enough to" make the team, but not "be special enough to" be a starter.

When is it inappropriate to use "be special enough to"?

It's best to avoid using "be special enough to" when the criteria for being "special" are vague or undefined. In such cases, it's more effective to use more specific language that clearly outlines the required qualities or characteristics.