be sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sufficient" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is enough or adequate to meet a particular need or purpose. For example, "I believe that the amount of money we have collected will be sufficient to cover the costs of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will they be sufficient?

The New York Times - Arts

"That should be sufficient".

The New Yorker

But it may not be sufficient.

The Economist

"One would be sufficient," she said.

The New Yorker

Resolving those deficiencies may not be sufficient.

Independent

"That should be sufficient to exonerate me".

The New York Times - Magazine

Accommodations may not be sufficient.

The New York Times

This is unlikely to be sufficient.

The Economist

Will there be sufficient demand?

University of California, Berkeley

Will incremental improvement be sufficient?

Cornell University

One-off increases will not be sufficient.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be sufficient", ensure that the context clearly defines what standard or requirement is being met. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "be sufficient" when a stronger term like "excellent" or "optimal" is more appropriate. Using "be sufficient" when something exceeds expectations can undersell its value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sufficient" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being adequate or enough. Ludwig's examples show it modifying various nouns, indicating the adequacy of resources, actions, or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

22%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be sufficient" is a versatile expression used to indicate that something is adequate or enough to meet a particular need or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Its frequency across diverse sources like news, academic papers, and how-to guides demonstrates its broad applicability. While alternatives like "suffice" and "be adequate" exist, "be sufficient" offers a clear and often more formal way to express the concept of adequacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suffice

A single word that means to be adequate or enough.

be adequate

Replaces "sufficient" with a synonym, maintaining similar meaning.

prove adequate

Highlights the aspect of demonstrating adequacy.

be enough

A simpler and more direct way to express sufficiency.

be ample

Suggests a generous amount, more than just meeting the requirement.

be satisfactory

Focuses on meeting a certain level of expectation or requirement.

meet the requirements

Emphasizes the fulfillment of specific criteria or needs.

fill the bill

An idiomatic expression indicating suitability for a particular purpose.

measure up

Indicates that something reaches a required standard or level.

do the trick

Suggests that something is effective or achieves the desired result.

FAQs

How can I use "be sufficient" in a sentence?

Use "be sufficient" to indicate that something is adequate or enough for a particular purpose. For example, "The data collected should "be sufficient" to draw a conclusion."

What are some alternatives to "be sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "suffice", "be adequate", or "be enough", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "be sufficient" or "be enough"?

"Be sufficient" is generally considered more formal than "be enough". Choose the phrasing that best fits the tone and audience of your writing.

What's the difference between "be sufficient" and "be necessary"?

"Be sufficient" means something is adequate to meet a need, while "be necessary" means something is required or essential. Something can "be sufficient" without "be necessary", and vice versa.