enough for one cup

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enough for one cup" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a quantity of a substance, typically a beverage or ingredient, that is sufficient to fill one cup. Example: "I measured out the coffee grounds, making sure I had enough for one cup."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Brews enough for one cup at a time, which is extremely modern.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Not even enough for one cup, so she gets in her car and she goes, because that cup of coffee has become one with her in the morning.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But when the kettle boils, there's only enough water for one cup.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This terrace in the sun, this coffee cooling in its paper cup, are enough for one spring.

The New Yorker

Enough for one post!

Cornell University

Enough for one day, I expect!

Cornell University

Ensure the pot is large enough for one-pot cooking.

WikiHow

Pour enough cold milk (34ºF or 1ºC) for one cup into the steam pitcher.

WikiHow

For yogurt is it is one cup and for ice cream it is one-half cup.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

That is not enough for a cup of coffee on the High Street.

BBC

When brewing green tea, only enough hot water is poured over the leaves to make one cup each for the number of people being served.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone on how much liquid or ingredient to use, be precise. Saying "add "enough for one cup"" is useful for clarity, especially when making single servings.

Common error

Don't use "enough" vaguely. Always specify what the "enough" is for. For example, instead of saying "add enough water", say "add "enough for one cup"" or "add "enough to cover the ingredients"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "enough for one cup" functions as a quantifying prepositional phrase, specifying the amount of something that is needed or sufficient for a single cup. Ludwig AI shows it's primarily used to describe liquid quantities, ingredients in recipes, or serving sizes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enough for one cup" is a prepositional phrase used to specify the quantity needed to fill a single cup. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and functions primarily to provide clear instructions or descriptions related to single servings, liquids, or ingredients in a recipe. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki, and is suitable for neutral to informal communication. To maintain clarity, avoid ambiguity by always specifying what the "enough" refers to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient for a single cup

Replaces "enough" with "sufficient" and rephrases "one cup" as "single cup" for emphasis on individual serving.

adequate for one cup

Substitutes "enough" with "adequate", indicating a satisfactory but possibly minimal quantity.

just right for one cup

Emphasizes that the amount is perfectly suited for a single cup, implying a precise measurement.

portion size for one cup

Focuses on the concept of portion size, specifically tailored to a cup.

single-serving quantity

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term for a single serving, applicable beyond just cups.

measured for one cup

Highlights the act of measuring to obtain the correct amount for one cup.

fills one cup

Shifts the focus to the action of filling, implying the amount needed.

one cup's worth

Uses a possessive form to indicate the quantity that is equivalent to one cup.

amount for a single cup

Breaks down the phrase to emphasize the specific amount intended for a single cup.

serving size for one cup

Focuses on the recommended or typical amount allocated for one cup.

FAQs

How do I use "enough for one cup" in a recipe?

In a recipe, you can use "enough for one cup" to specify the quantity of an ingredient needed for a single serving. For example, "Add "enough broth for one cup" to the pot".

What's a more formal way to say "enough for one cup"?

A more formal alternative would be "sufficient for a single cup" or "adequate for a single serving". You can also specify quantity like "240ml of liquid is "sufficient for a single cup"".

Is it correct to say "enough for one serving" instead of "enough for one cup"?

Yes, "enough for one serving" is correct, but it's more general. "Enough for one cup" is specific to the volume of a cup. It depends if you are talking about a specific recipient.

What does "enough for one cup" imply about portion size?

"Enough for one cup" indicates a portion size that is intended to fill a standard cup. This phrase is helpful for making single servings or small batches and to avoid waste of time.