ever enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"ever enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is sufficient in any way possible. For example, "I have taken every precaution, but is it ever enough?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Isn't blessed memory ever enough?

The New Yorker

None of that is ever enough.

The Guardian

No accomplishment is ever enough, no accolade sufficient.

The Guardian - Books

Simple majorities are seldom, if ever, enough to accomplish anything.

The New York Times

But no explanation by Mr. Hagel was ever enough for his camera-conscious critics.

The New York Times

None of this information was ever enough to gain special attention from city officials.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

No one is ever rich enough, thin enough or "good enough" to that competitive outlook.

WikiHow

"Maps" shows these children as at once spoiled and deprived and destroyed, drowning in the void of the-sky's-the-limit and nothing-is-ever-enough, consuming their past to feed their dreams, or, to invert a phrase from "Histoire(s) du Cinéma," burning their reality to heat their imagination.

The New Yorker

"Nothing was ever good enough".

The New York Times - Magazine

Can a smoothie ever be enough?

Independent

Neither could ever produce enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Incorporate "ever enough" in rhetorical questions to provoke thought about the limits of certain endeavors or the insatiability of desires.

Common error

Avoid using "ever enough" when referring to concrete measurements or quantities where a specific threshold can be definitively met. "Ever enough" is more suitable for intangible or subjective assessments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ever enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically used to question or express doubt about the sufficiency of something. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears in rhetorical questions to emphasize uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ever enough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for questioning the sufficiency of something. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it's frequently found in news and media, serving to express skepticism or uncertainty. While applicable in various contexts, it's best suited for intangible assessments and rhetorical questions. Consider alternatives like "always sufficient" or "absolutely adequate" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely adequate

Highlights the completeness and totality of the sufficiency.

truly sufficient

Emphasizes the real and undeniable nature of adequacy.

fully sufficient

Focuses on the completeness of meeting a requirement.

undeniably sufficient

Stresses that the level of sufficiency is irrefutable.

always sufficient

Emphasizes consistent adequacy across all situations.

certainly enough

Indicates a definitive assurance of adequacy.

consistently adequate

Highlights the reliability of being satisfactory.

really adequate

A more informal way to express genuine sufficiency.

quite satisfactory

Suggests a level of contentment or acceptance.

genuinely adequate

Highlights the authenticity and sincerity of being enough.

FAQs

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

You can use "ever enough" to express a doubt that something is, or will be, sufficient. For example, "I've saved a lot of money, but is it "ever enough" for retirement?"

What does "ever enough" mean?

"Ever enough" questions whether something will reach a satisfactory level. It often implies a degree of skepticism or doubt about whether something can truly be sufficient.

Are there alternatives to the phrase "ever enough"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "always sufficient", "fully sufficient", or "absolutely adequate" to express similar ideas.

Is "ever enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, the phrase "ever enough" is grammatically sound and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis. It's used to question the sufficiency of something.