being good enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being good enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing standards, self-acceptance, or meeting expectations in various contexts. Example: "Sometimes, I struggle with the idea of being good enough in my career, but I remind myself that progress takes time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This sensibility of nothing being good enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Or not being good enough to write.

The Guardian

"She obsessed about her work not being good enough.

The Guardian

Nothing can compare to being good enough to actually compete in them in your own country.

Independent

A sense of not being good enough is the common answer".

The New York Times

"Every show needs a gimmick because just being good enough isn't good enough anymore," he continued.

The New York Times

Instead, its attitude was: Look at how much money you saved by not being good enough!

The New Yorker

"I went from being an average swimmer there to being good enough for the Olympics.

Independent

She strived to please and worried about not being good enough.

The New Yorker

Tamara Rojo There's a fear of disappointing people, a fear of not being good enough.

The Guardian

It seems a matter of being old enough courtesy of being good enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, use "being good enough" to refer to the minimum acceptable standard for a task or deliverable.

Common error

Avoid using "being good enough" when a higher level of performance is expected. Opt for phrases like "excelling" or "exceptional" to convey superior quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being good enough" primarily functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a subject by describing its state or quality in terms of adequacy. Ludwig AI confirms that is grammatical status is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Huffington Post

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

BMC Family Practice

2%

TechCrunch

3%

The Guardian - Sport

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being good enough" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a satisfactory level of adequacy or competence. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from personal self-acceptance to professional standards. While alternatives like "meeting expectations" or "competent enough" exist, "being good enough" uniquely balances practicality with a sense of acceptance. It is important to be mindful of the specific context and expectations, as aiming for excellence may be more suitable in certain situations. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media. Overall, mastering the nuance of "being good enough" allows for effective communication and realistic goal-setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meeting expectations

Focuses on satisfying a set standard or requirement, rather than inherent quality.

competent enough

Directly implies a sufficient level of ability to handle a task.

sufficiently competent

Highlights the level of skill or ability needed to perform a task adequately.

suitable for the purpose

Focuses on the fitness of something for a specific task or goal.

adequately qualified

Emphasizes having the necessary qualifications or skills for a specific purpose.

measuring up

Implies a comparison against a standard or expectation, with the goal of reaching that standard.

up to par

Indicates a level of performance that meets a particular standard or expectation.

passing muster

Indicates that something has been deemed acceptable after scrutiny or examination.

satisfactory performance

Highlights that the level of execution is acceptable, though not necessarily exceptional.

meeting the grade

Suggests reaching a minimum acceptable standard, often in an academic context.

FAQs

What does "being good enough" mean?

The phrase "being good enough" generally refers to meeting a minimum standard or expectation. It suggests a level of adequacy that is satisfactory without necessarily being exceptional.

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

You might say, "I don't need to be the best, "being good enough" is fine" or "The goal is to be "sufficiently competent", not perfect".

What are some alternatives to "being good enough"?

Some alternatives include "meeting expectations", "adequately qualified", or "competent enough", depending on the specific context.

Is it always acceptable to aim for "being good enough"?

While aiming for "being good enough" can be practical and reduce stress, there are situations where striving for excellence is more appropriate, such as when pursuing personal growth or in highly competitive environments.