good enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"good enough" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something is satisfactory but not perfect or ideal. For example, "This project is good enough to move forward with."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Good enough is good enough.

The New York Times

Good enough was good enough".

The New York Times

Good enough is truly good enough.

University of California, Berkeley

It's probably good enough".

The New York Times - Arts

He wasn't good enough.

The New Yorker

"He is good enough.

Independent

Simply not good enough".

The New York Times

I am good enough.

The New York Times

"Good enough," I said.

The New Yorker

Isn't that good enough?

The Economist

But not good enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "good enough". In some situations, such as critical safety systems, "good enough" is not acceptable and a higher standard is required.

Common error

Avoid using "good enough" as a justification for cutting corners in situations where precision, safety, or high quality are paramount. In such contexts, aim for excellence rather than mere acceptability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "good enough" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun or pronoun (often implied) to express a level of acceptability or sufficiency. As Ludwig AI shows, this can range from minimal adequacy to a more nuanced satisfaction depending on the context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "good enough" serves as a pragmatic indicator that something meets a necessary threshold without necessarily being perfect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used, particularly in news and media, academic writing, and business contexts. While alternatives like "adequate" and "sufficient" exist, "good enough" carries a distinct connotation of acceptable compromise. While its flexibility is valuable, it's crucial to reserve "good enough" for situations where the trade-off between quality and efficiency is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate

Expresses a minimal level of acceptability or suitability; implies meeting a basic requirement without excelling.

sufficient

Indicates that something meets the necessary requirements or quantity.

acceptable

Suggests something meets a standard to be allowed or approved.

satisfactory

Indicates something fulfills expectations or requirements without necessarily being outstanding.

suitable

Indicates appropriateness for a particular purpose or situation.

passable

Implies something is just good enough to pass a test or inspection; often suggests minimal quality.

up to par

Suggests something meets a defined standard or expectation.

serviceable

Focuses on functionality; indicates something is in working order or can be used for its intended purpose.

all right

A less formal way of saying something is acceptable or satisfactory.

decent

Implies a moderate level of quality or respectability.

FAQs

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

You can use "good enough" to indicate that something meets a minimum standard or is acceptable without being excellent. For example, "The report is "good enough" to present to the board".

What are some alternatives to "good enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "adequate", "sufficient", or "acceptable".

When is "good enough" not good enough?

"Good enough" is not appropriate in situations where high precision, safety, or exceptional quality are required. Aim for excellence in such cases.

Is it okay to aim for "good enough" instead of perfection?

In many situations, aiming for "good enough" can be a practical approach to avoid perfectionism and ensure timely completion of tasks. However, it's crucial to assess whether the context requires a higher standard.