being conservative enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being conservative enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the adequacy of a conservative approach or mindset in a particular context. Example: "In financial planning, being conservative enough can help mitigate risks and ensure long-term stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"I was not being conservative enough in scoring the genotypes.

The New York Times - Science

This just proves that Romney will never get over his anxiety about not being conservative enough.

The New York Times

Certainly there will be Republicans who argue Romney failed by not being conservative enough.

The New York Times

Mr. Mourdock repeatedly accused Mr. Lugar of not being conservative enough for Indiana.

The New York Times

But maybe they won't; having won the House and only just lost the popular vote, they may blame Romney for not being conservative enough.

The Economist

Going back at least two years, Mr. Perry has criticized his predecessor in the Governor's Mansion, whom he served alongside as lieutenant governor, as not being conservative enough.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Yet his Catholic upbringing had been conservative enough that he and Smith had to fake being married for his parents' sake during their liaison.

The New York Times - Books

His House record is conservative enough for the Republican right.

The New York Times

As for Mr. Racicot, some Republicans have questioned whether he is conservative enough on issues like abortion.

The New York Times

Some will accuse him of failing to be conservative enough; others will maintain that he went too far.

The New Yorker

Conservatives don't think he's conservative enough, but moderates don't seem certain that he's really all that moderate.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being conservative enough" in political contexts, ensure you clearly define what 'conservative' means in that specific situation. This helps avoid ambiguity and clarifies the criteria being used.

Common error

Avoid assuming everyone understands the specific principles you're referencing when you say "being conservative enough". Always contextualize the statement with the relevant values or policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being conservative enough" functions as a subjective assessment of whether someone or something meets a certain threshold of conservatism. This often appears in political discourse. Ludwig's examples show it applying to candidates, policies, and general approaches.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being conservative enough" is commonly used, especially in news and media, to evaluate adherence to conservative principles. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently employed in discussions about politics and policy. Alternatives such as "sufficiently conservative" and "adequately conservative" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, it's crucial to define 'conservative' within the given context to avoid ambiguity. The phrase tends to appear in neutral to professional registers, reflecting its common usage in media and formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently conservative

Emphasizes having an adequate level of conservatism.

adequately conservative

Similar to 'sufficiently conservative', focusing on the appropriateness of the level of conservatism.

conservative to a satisfactory degree

More formal and emphasizes meeting a certain standard of conservatism.

not radical enough

Expresses the idea from the opposite perspective, focusing on the lack of radicalism as a requirement for conservatism.

within conservative limits

Highlights adherence to predefined conservative boundaries.

appropriately cautious

Focuses on the caution associated with conservatism.

prudent enough in approach

Emphasizes the prudence and carefulness associated with conservative strategies.

moderately conservative

Highlights a balanced or middle-ground approach within conservatism.

not excessively liberal

Avoidance of liberalism defines conservative boundary.

acceptably traditional

Stresses acceptance of traditional values within a conservative framework.

FAQs

How can I use "being conservative enough" in a sentence?

You can use "being conservative enough" to describe whether a person or policy is sufficiently aligned with conservative principles. For example, "Some argue that the candidate isn't "conservative enough" to win the support of the party's base."

What is an alternative to "being conservative enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently conservative", "adequately conservative", or "moderately conservative", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "conservative enough" or "enough conservative"?

"Conservative enough" is the correct word order. The adjective 'conservative' precedes the adverb 'enough'. "Enough conservative" is grammatically incorrect.

What does it mean for someone to not be "conservative enough"?

It means they are perceived as not adhering strongly enough to conservative values or policies. This can be a criticism from those who hold more firmly to those principles.