cannot make enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot make enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a situation where someone is unable to produce, earn, or gather a sufficient amount of something, such as money or resources. Example: "Despite working long hours, I still cannot make enough to cover my monthly expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

"You cannot make enough to make ends meet," he said.

The New York Times

It suffers cuts now because they cannot make enough money.

The Economist

Chinese solar panel manufacturers buy a lot of imported polysilicon because domestic producers cannot make enough.

The New York Times

Without progress in pregnancy and childbirth we cannot make enough progress in women's broader rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

While the body uses sunlight to make vitamin D, it cannot make enough if you live in northern climates or don't spend much time in the sun.

Harvard University

Juma Khan, a farmer in Nad Ali, substituted wheat and corn for opium poppies but now cannot make enough to feed his family.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

With the economy mired in weakness for much of the last decade and interest rates at record lows, they cannot now make enough on their investments to cover those obligations.

The New York Times

Friedman had only been at the helm of the troubled morning show for 16 months; his ouster adds yet another layer of instability to a program that, try as it might, cannot seem to make enough people watch it.

Huffington Post

Firms cannot sell enough to justify the largesse offered to a few at the top, and banks cannot legally or morally make enough profit to pay over 2,000 bankers more than £1m a year.

The Guardian

Why replace an aircraft that you cannot make fast enough?

The Economist

Dodge has told its dealer network to stop taking orders for the 2015 Charger and Challenger SRT Hellcats, a pair of 700+-horsepower throwbacks that, the company says, it cannot make fast enough.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot make enough", clearly specify what is lacking. For instance, instead of just saying "they cannot make enough", specify "they cannot make enough money" or "they cannot make enough vaccines".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot make enough" without providing context. Be precise about what is insufficient to prevent ambiguity. For example, clarify "cannot make enough progress" by specifying in what area progress is lacking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot make enough" functions as a descriptor indicating a deficiency or inadequacy. It is used to express that something is lacking in quantity or sufficiency, similar to what Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot make enough" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a deficiency or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific sources, highlighting its versatility. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is lacking to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases include "insufficient production" or "unable to produce sufficient". Overall, "cannot make enough" is a reliable way to convey a state of insufficiency, provided it is used with precision and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to generate sufficient

Directly states the inability to produce an adequate amount.

unable to produce sufficient

Highlights the inability to generate an adequate amount.

lacking adequate supply

Points out the absence of a sufficient quantity.

insufficient production

Focuses specifically on the lack of adequate output or creation.

unable to meet requirements

Highlights the failure to fulfill the necessary standards or needs.

deficient in output

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the production level.

inadequate generation

Focuses on the insufficient creation or production of something.

falling short of demand

Indicates that the supply isn't meeting the needs or requests.

insufficient yield

Similar to 'limited yield', but emphasizes inadequacy.

limited yield

Suggests that the output or return is restricted.

FAQs

What does "cannot make enough" mean?

The phrase "cannot make enough" means there is an insufficient amount of something, whether it's money, products, or progress. It indicates a deficiency in production, earnings, or achievement.

What can I say instead of "cannot make enough"?

You can use alternatives like "insufficient production", "unable to produce sufficient", or "lacking adequate supply" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "cannot make enough"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "cannot make enough". It follows standard English grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts.

How do I use "cannot make enough" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot make enough" to describe a situation where there is a shortage of something. For example: "The factory cannot make enough products to meet demand", or "I cannot make enough money to cover my expenses".