big enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

'big enough to' is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something (a thing or an action) is at a size or level of magnitude that is sufficient for a purpose. For example: "The room was big enough to accommodate all thirty people comfortably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Big enough to burst".

The New Yorker

Just big enough to satisfy anyone.

The New York Times - Books

Not big enough to stop the traffic?

The Economist

Cairo is big enough to support dozens.

The New Yorker

"He's big enough to be a keeper".

The New York Times

Big enough to hold single atoms inside.

MIT Technology Review

That's big enough to trigger a downpour.

MIT Technology Review

Big enough to eat you whole.

The Guardian - Travel

"It is not big enough to risk.

The Guardian - Sport

Big enough to make a difference.

The New Yorker

And it is big enough to work.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "big enough to" when you want to clearly state that something's size or scale is sufficient for a particular action or purpose. It's direct and easily understood.

Common error

While "big enough to" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more sophisticated synonyms like "sufficiently large to" or "adequately sized to" in formal contexts to enhance the tone and style of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "big enough to" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, followed by an infinitive. It specifies that the noun possesses a quality or dimension sufficient for a particular action or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "big enough to" is a versatile and commonly used phrase for expressing that something is sufficient in size or scale for a given purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. While suitable for various contexts, remember that more formal alternatives may be preferable in academic or technical writing. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating its general acceptance and understandability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large enough to

Uses the direct synonym "large" instead of "big", offering a slightly more formal tone.

sufficiently large to

Replaces "big enough" with a more formal synonym while maintaining the core meaning of adequate size.

adequately sized to

Emphasizes the adequacy of the size for a specific purpose.

large scale enough to

Implies that a plan or initiative is significant in scope.

spacious enough to

Focuses on the availability of space as the key attribute.

with sufficient capacity to

A more formal way to express having enough room or power.

substantial enough to

Highlights the considerable size or amount, suggesting importance.

ample enough to

Stresses the abundance or plenty of something.

capable of

Shifts the focus from size to capability, implying the required size is present.

able to accommodate

Specifically indicates the ability to hold or contain something.

FAQs

How can I use "big enough to" in a sentence?

You can use "big enough to" to indicate that something is of sufficient size or scale for a particular purpose. For example, "The room is "big enough to" accommodate all the guests".

What are some alternatives to "big enough to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "sufficiently large to", "large enough to", or "adequately sized to", depending on the context and desired formality.

Is there a difference between "large enough to" and "big enough to"?

While both phrases convey the same basic meaning, "large enough to" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "big enough to". The choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.

When should I avoid using "big enough to"?

In highly formal or technical writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated alternatives like "sufficiently large to" or "with sufficient capacity to" to maintain a professional tone.