but sufficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but sufficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something meets a certain level or standard, but not excessively so. Example: "The results were not perfect, but sufficiently good to warrant further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

WINE LIST Relatively short but sufficiently diverse, with many selections well below $40.

The New York Times - Food

Neither a dissident nor an entertainer, he makes films that are archly political but sufficiently oblique to obtain theatrical release.

The New Yorker

The film is a bit drawn out but sufficiently diverting, with a morbid undertone that strongly suggests Mr. Edwards's hand.

The New York Times

Coalition strategy has also armed the anti-Isis forces, somewhat patchily, but sufficiently enough to keep them in the field.

The Guardian - Opinion

The body of saloon steward Fred Wormald was also found, but sufficiently intact to be taken to Halifax.

Independent

Like Cartwright, he moved the ball either way, in the air or from the pitch, not extravagantly but sufficiently, with an infinite variety of subtleties.

The Guardian - Sport

The templelike New Orleans Museum of Art was, he said, "inspired by the Greek but sufficiently modified to give a subtropical appearance".

The New York Times - Style

A white shirt: simple enough not to look out of place, but sufficiently purposeful to make it clear this is not a campfire situation.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Metal Mountain is still a work in progress but sufficiently developed for a serious editor to take a look at, I thought.

The Guardian - Books

It was a hair monster, a puppet, like a toxic Cousin Itt with chitinous H. R. Giger limbs, absurd but sufficiently hideous to conjure a taste of revulsion.

The New Yorker

ATMOSPHERE A relatively spare but sufficiently warm room with a fireplace, booths on one wall and a view into a kitchen-cum-laboratory.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but sufficiently" to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements or level without being excessive. This phrase is particularly useful when a higher degree of something is not needed or desirable.

Common error

Avoid using "but sufficiently" in very informal conversations or casual writing where simpler alternatives like "but enough" might sound more natural. Overuse in informal settings can sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but sufficiently" functions as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas. It indicates that while there might be a limitation or imperfection, a certain aspect is still adequate or meets the necessary requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"But sufficiently" is a conjunction phrase used to express that something meets a necessary requirement, though perhaps not perfectly. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. This phrase is most common in scientific and news media contexts, indicating a formal or neutral register. When writing, use "but sufficiently" to convey that something is adequate without being excessive, especially in situations where a higher degree is not needed. Be mindful of overusing it in informal settings, where simpler alternatives might be more appropriate. In summary, while there may be other phrase choices, this one works "but effectively".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but adequately

Replaces "sufficiently" with a synonym that directly conveys adequacy, slightly more concise.

but acceptably

Focuses on meeting an acceptable standard, implying a level of satisfaction that "sufficiently" might not.

but suitably

Emphasizes appropriateness for a specific purpose, adding a nuance of relevance not always present in "sufficiently".

but just enough

Highlights the minimal nature of the sufficiency, indicating that there's barely enough.

but reasonably

Suggests a moderate level of sufficiency, implying a judgment of fairness or justification.

but passably

Indicates something barely meets the required standard, possibly with shortcomings.

but tolerably

Implies sufficiency that is barely endurable or acceptable, emphasizing a lower standard.

but serviceably

Highlights the functional aspect of sufficiency, focusing on whether it serves the purpose.

but effectively enough

Emphasizes the outcome of being sufficient, concentrating on the effectiveness of the action.

but to an adequate degree

A more formal way of expressing sufficiency, suitable for academic or technical contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "but sufficiently" in a sentence?

The phrase "but sufficiently" is used to indicate that something is adequate or enough, but not excessively so. For example, "The data was not conclusive, "but sufficiently" compelling to warrant further investigation."

What's a simpler way to say "but sufficiently"?

Alternatives to "but sufficiently" include "but adequately", "but enough", or "but acceptably". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "but adequately" and "but sufficiently"?

While "but adequately" and "but sufficiently" are similar, "but sufficiently" often implies that something just meets the necessary level or standard, whereas "but adequately" may suggest a slightly higher degree of acceptability.

In what contexts is it best to use "but sufficiently"?

The phrase "but sufficiently" is best used in formal writing, technical reports, or academic papers where a precise and somewhat reserved tone is appropriate. It's also suitable when contrasting a limitation with an acceptable level of performance or quality.