did enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a certain level of effort or action was taken to achieve a specific outcome. Example: "She felt that she did enough to prepare for the exam, but she still wasn't confident about her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We did enough to win," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I think I did enough to win".

The New York Times - Sports

We did enough to win the game.

The New York Times - Sports

They just did enough to win".

The New York Times - Sports

I think I did enough to deserve to be here.

Independent

"But I think I did enough to win," she added.

Independent

Eubank thought he did enough to win, as boxers do.

The Guardian - Sport

"I thought we did enough to win," said Ford.

The Guardian - Sport

But it was unclear whether he did enough to win.

The New York Times - Sports

But she did enough to be going on with.

The Guardian - Opinion

We did enough to win after that, but we didn't".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did enough to", ensure that the context clearly specifies the goal or outcome that was sufficiently achieved. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "did enough to" when the action or effort clearly exceeded what was necessary. Use stronger verbs like "excelled" or "mastered" to reflect a higher level of achievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did enough to" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating that a certain level of effort or action was sufficient to achieve a particular outcome. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did enough to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verbal phrase that conveys the idea of sufficiency or adequacy in achieving a specific outcome. Ludwig's AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media, offering a neutral and effective way to describe situations where an action or effort has met the minimum requirements. When using "did enough to", ensure that the context makes clear what goal was achieved. While versatile, avoiding overstatement by using stronger verbs when the action or effort exceeds minimum requirements is important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient to

Focuses on the adequacy of something for a particular purpose, highlighting the degree to which it meets a requirement.

adequate to

Emphasizes meeting a minimum standard or requirement, suggesting a basic level of competence or provision.

competent to

Highlights the ability or skill to perform a task or fulfill a role, suggesting a level of proficiency.

able to

Indicates the capacity or capability to do something, focusing on the potential to achieve a result.

capable of

Stresses the inherent ability or potential to perform a specific action or function.

managed to

Focuses on the successful completion of a task, often implying overcoming obstacles or challenges.

succeeded in

Highlights the achievement of a desired outcome, emphasizing the positive result of effort or planning.

got around to

Suggests finally finding the time or motivation to complete a task, often implying a delay or postponement.

accomplished

Emphasizes the completion of a task, demonstrating a sense of fulfillment or achievement.

performed adequately to

Emphasizes the level of performance, focusing on meeting a basic standard or requirement.

FAQs

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

Use "did enough to" to indicate that a certain level of effort or action was sufficient for a particular purpose or outcome. For instance, "She "studied enough to" pass the exam" or "He "trained enough to" compete in the race".

What are some alternatives to "did enough to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sufficient to", "managed to", or "adequate to" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "did enough to win"?

Yes, "did enough to win" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It implies that the effort or performance was sufficient to achieve victory. You can find several examples of this usage in news and sports contexts, such as "The team "did enough to win" the game".

What's the difference between "did enough to" and "tried to"?

"Did enough to" implies that the effort was successful in achieving a goal, while "tried to" only indicates an attempt was made, without specifying whether it was successful. For example, "He did enough to pass the test" means he succeeded, while "He tried to pass the test" only means he attempted it.