dependable enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"dependable enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something or someone who is reliable or trustworthy and who can be relied upon to do what is expected of them. For example, "I know I can count on her; she's dependable enough to get the job done on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

At this point she's considered dependable enough to handle money, protecting herself while also reassuring the lender.

The New York Times

People began abandoning the cities and moved eastward toward the Ganges basin, where rains were more dependable (though not dependable enough to sustain urban metropolises).

The New York Times

Those who cautioned that the Afghan authorities – civilian and military – were not yet strong or dependable enough to take sole control of their country's destiny were ignored.

The Guardian

On top of this, if the astronauts were to fall ill, existing "telemedicine" is not yet dependable enough to allow them to diagnose and treat themselves unaided.Perhaps the biggest problem, though, would be psychological.

The Economist

These are the so-called "milk runs," dependable enough to plan vacations around and, with safety kept in mind, not too powerful for novices: the Ocoee River in Tennessee, the New River in West Virginia, the Arkansas River in Colorado.

The New York Times - Travel

But the Mets' rotation, as presently constituted, is neither talented enough nor dependable enough to anchor the, say, 95 victories needed to win the National League East as well as the additional seven playoff triumphs necessary to win the pennant and the four to win the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

On the monetary front we need real easing, not the phony version we've had so far that is a pale imitation of what Japan's done: cutting rates but not supplying enough dependable fuel to get the economy humming.

Forbes

The hybrid method of DNA barcoding and High Resolution Melting is dependable, fast, and sensitive enough to distinguish between species.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Laurent Tourondel's burgeoning chain (the name doesn't stand for "bacon, lettuce, and tomato" — it's an acronym of "bistro" plus his name) makes dependable, high-quality meals fancy enough to impress expense-account clients but conventional enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The New Yorker

By Andrea Thompson Laurent Tourondel's burgeoning chain (the name doesn't stand for "bacon, lettuce, and tomato" — it's an acronym of "bistro" plus his name) makes dependable, high-quality meals fancy enough to impress expense-account clients but conventional enough to appeal to a wide range of tastes.

The New Yorker

But this once dependable formula is no longer enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider pairing "dependable enough" with specific metrics or examples to illustrate the level of reliability required.

Common error

Avoid using "dependable enough" when a higher degree of certainty is required. If absolute reliability is crucial, consider stronger phrases like "completely reliable" or "unfailingly dependable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dependable enough" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a sufficient level of reliability or trustworthiness. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable. Examples show it describing everything from microfinance systems to weather patterns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

24%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dependable enough" is a grammatically sound adjective phrase used to indicate that something meets a minimum level of reliability for a given context. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. While examples are not numerous, its appearance in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian highlights its acceptability. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context for what "enough" means. Alternatives such as ""sufficiently reliable"" or ""adequately trustworthy"" can provide subtle shifts in meaning. Be mindful of overstating the degree of dependability implied by the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently reliable

Emphasizes reliability as a key attribute but uses different wording.

adequately trustworthy

Focuses specifically on trustworthiness and uses "adequately" instead of "enough".

reliable to a degree

Highlights that reliability exists within certain limits.

acceptably dependable

Indicates that the level of dependability meets a minimum acceptable standard.

serviceable enough

Suggests that something is just good enough to serve its purpose in terms of dependability.

passably reliable

Implies a level of reliability that is just sufficient to pass scrutiny.

reasonably dependable

Uses "reasonably" to indicate a moderate level of dependability.

competent enough

Shifts the focus slightly towards competence while still implying a level of dependability.

trustworthy to a fault

Indicates a very high level of trustworthiness, perhaps even excessively so.

dependable within reason

Highlights that the dependability is limited by practical considerations.

FAQs

How can I use "dependable enough" in a sentence?

You can use "dependable enough" to describe something or someone that meets a certain threshold of reliability. For example, "The car is "dependable enough" for short commutes, but not for long road trips."

What are some alternatives to "dependable enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently reliable", "adequately trustworthy", or "reliable to a degree", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dependable enough" formal or informal?

"Dependable enough" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, you might consider more precise language.

What does it mean for something to be "dependable enough"?

It means that something meets the minimum required level of dependability for a particular task or situation. It implies that while it may not be perfect, it is still reliable enough to be used.