be strong enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be strong enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability or capacity to handle a challenge or situation. Example: "You need to be strong enough to face your fears and overcome them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Together they would be strong enough to make an impact.

Independent

Trade rules need to be strong enough to deter protectionism.

The Economist

Let's be strong enough to keep it that way.

The New York Times

Will the security forces be strong enough to keep order?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Poetry can be strong enough to help," wrote Seamus Heaney.

The Guardian - Books

Their egos should be strong enough to take it.

The Guardian - Opinion

But Robinson might not be strong enough to attend.

The Washington Post

Will Brown and Cameron be strong enough to resist?

The Guardian

And we should be strong enough to acknowledge this.

The Guardian

Ordinary torch beams won't be strong enough to do this.

The Guardian

They must be strong enough to support the turbine and transfer its loads to the ground.

Small Wind

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be strong enough to", ensure that the context clearly defines what kind of strength is needed: physical, emotional, or mental.

Common error

Avoid using "be strong enough to" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "The door needs to be strong enough to withstand the wind", write "The door should withstand strong winds."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be strong enough to" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing capability or sufficient ability to perform a specific action or withstand a certain condition. Ludwig provides many examples of this phrase in use, confirming its grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

18%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

18%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be strong enough to" is a versatile phrase used to express the capacity or ability to handle a challenge or situation. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. When using this phrase, ensure the type of strength (physical, emotional, or mental) is clear in the context. Alternatives like ""be capable of"" or ""have the capacity to"" can provide similar meanings with slight nuances. Avoid overuse in passive constructions for clearer and more direct writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be capable of

Highlights the competence and skill to perform an action. More focused on skill than resilience.

have the capacity to

Emphasizes inherent ability or potential to do something. It's slightly more formal.

be able to

A simple and direct way of expressing ability. Less emphatic than "be strong enough to".

be resilient enough to

Highlights the ability to recover quickly from difficulties. Focuses on bouncing back.

muster the strength to

Highlights the effort required to gather the necessary strength. Focuses on an action of gathering strength.

possess the fortitude to

Stresses mental and emotional strength in facing adversity. Adds an element of courage.

be equipped to

Focuses on having the necessary resources or tools. Can be both physical and mental resources.

have what it takes to

An idiomatic expression denoting the necessary qualities for success. More informal.

be up to the task of

Indicates competence and willingness to handle a specific job or assignment. More specific than general ability.

be prepared to

Indicates readiness and willingness to face a task or challenge. Lacks the strength aspect.

FAQs

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

You can use "be strong enough to" to describe the capability to handle a challenge or situation. For instance, "You need to "be strong enough to" face your fears" or "The bridge must "be strong enough to" withstand the storm".

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

Alternatives include "have the capacity to", "be capable of", or "be able to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "be enough strong to" instead of "be strong enough to"?

No, the correct phrasing is ""be strong enough to"". The adjective "strong" should precede "enough" in this construction.

What is the difference between "be strong enough to" and "have the strength to"?

"Be strong enough to" implies a level of capability or resilience to overcome a challenge, while "have the strength to" focuses more directly on possessing the necessary power or fortitude.