but not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
Example 1: "I studied hard for the exam, but not enough to pass." In this sentence, "but not enough" indicates that the amount of studying done was insufficient to achieve the desired result of passing the exam. Example 2: "She tried to apologize, but not enough to make up for her hurtful words." Here, "but not enough" suggests that the apology given was not sufficient to fully mend the hurt caused by the hurtful words. Example 3: "He exercised regularly, but not enough to see significant weight loss." This example shows that although the person was consistent with their workouts, the amount or intensity was not sufficient to produce noticeable weight loss.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"But not enough".

The New York Times

But not enough calories.

The New Yorker

(Probably, but not enough).

The Guardian - Business

But not enough for Goldie.

The New Yorker

A start but not enough.

Independent

It helped, but not enough.

The New Yorker

Fine, but not enough.

The New York Times

Some, but not enough.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

But probably not enough.

The Washington Post

But, still not enough.

The New York Times

But maybe not enough.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "but not enough" to respectfully critique an effort or outcome, acknowledging the positive aspects while pointing out remaining shortcomings. For example, "The team made progress, but not enough to meet the deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "but not enough" in a series of sentences with similar structures. Vary your sentence construction to maintain reader engagement and avoid monotony. For example, instead of saying, "He tried, but not enough. She cared, but not enough. They helped, but not enough", consider alternatives like, "Despite his efforts, he fell short" or "Her caring wasn't sufficient to make a difference".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not enough" functions as a conjunction phrase used to introduce a contrasting element, indicating that a preceding action, quality, or quantity is insufficient to achieve a desired outcome. This is supported by Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but not enough" is a grammatically correct and widely used conjunction phrase that conveys a sense of inadequacy or shortfall. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are clear about what is lacking and consider varying your sentence structure to avoid repetition. While useful for respectful critique, overuse can make your writing monotonous. Alternatives such as "insufficient" or "falls short" can provide variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not good enough

Directly states the lack of required quality or standard.

yet still inadequate

Highlights the continued inadequacy even with some improvement or addition.

falls short of the mark

Implies that something does not achieve the desired outcome or level.

insufficient though it was

Emphasizes the lack of sufficiency despite some effort or quality.

inadequate to the task

Specifically points out the insufficiency for a particular purpose.

not quite up to par

Indicates that something falls short of the required standard.

regrettably not sufficient

Adds a tone of regret to the insufficiency.

not up to snuff

Informal way of saying something isn't good enough.

lacking what was needed

Focuses on the absence of the necessary element or quantity.

less than satisfactory

A more formal way to express that something didn't meet expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "but not enough" in a sentence?

Use "but not enough" to indicate that an action or quality, while present, is insufficient to achieve the desired outcome. For instance, "The funding was allocated, but "not enough" to cover all the expenses".

What are some alternatives to saying "but not enough"?

Alternatives include phrases like "insufficient", "inadequate", or "falls short" depending on the context. These phrases convey a similar meaning of deficiency.

Is it grammatically correct to use "but not enough" at the end of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used at the end of a sentence to add a concise statement of insufficiency. For example, "We tried our best, but "not enough"."

How does "but not enough" differ from "but insufficient"?

"But not enough" is more conversational and emphasizes the lack of quantity or degree, while "but insufficient" is more formal and directly states the inadequacy of something. The choice depends on the register of your writing.