is little enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is little enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is sufficiently small or minimal in quantity or degree. Example: "The amount of time we have left for this project is little enough to complete it properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Already, there is little enough help from the federal government for the arts.

The Economist

"I feel this is little enough to do to give back to where it all came from".

The New York Times - Arts

Reader, there is little enough to see in a marathon, but in a cycle race there is nothing to see at all.

Independent

It seems to me that lifting up a few porgies is little enough to expect of a man who claims a devotion to excellence in cuisine.

The New Yorker

The money allotted by the state is little enough — $1.75 a day per prisoner — but the incentive to skimp is obvious.

The New York Times

I pretend to see patience in the sugar maples and the hickories, but any patience I find is mine, and there is little enough of that.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But after that there was little enough to talk about.

The New Yorker

There was little enough choice of "out" in this town.

The New Yorker

When Pehle reviewed the work of the WRB, he commented, "What we did was little enough.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The girl was little enough that walking must have been a new activity for her.

The New York Times

Perhaps at bottom, there was little enough to distinguish Albert and George, beyond the cosmetics of their craft.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is little enough", ensure the context clearly establishes what standard or requirement is being barely met. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "is little enough" when the situation implies complete inadequacy. This phrase suggests something barely meets a need, not that it fails entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is little enough" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something barely meets a minimum requirement or standard. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is little enough" serves to express a marginal level of sufficiency, indicating that something barely meets a required standard. Ludwig AI confirms that this expression is grammatically correct and frequently used in various sources, especially in News & Media. Although versatile, it's vital to consider the context and avoid using it when complete inadequacy is implied. Understanding this nuanced usage will improve your writing and ensure accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is just sufficient

Replaces "little" with "just" and "enough" with "sufficient", maintaining the core meaning but using more formal vocabulary.

is barely adequate

Substitutes "little" with "barely" and "enough" with "adequate", emphasizing the marginal sufficiency.

is minimally sufficient

Uses "minimally" to modify "sufficient", highlighting the bare minimum aspect.

is scarcely adequate

Emphasizes the barely sufficient nature of something, using "scarcely".

is only just enough

Adds "only just" to emphasize the narrow margin of sufficiency.

is hardly sufficient

Replaces "little" with "hardly", indicating a near insufficiency.

is only barely enough

Combines "only" and "barely" to underscore the minimal nature of the sufficiency.

is cutting it close

An idiomatic expression implying that something barely meets the requirement.

is scraping by

An idiomatic expression suggesting a very narrow margin of sufficiency.

is the bare minimum

Phrases the concept in terms of meeting the absolute lowest requirement.

FAQs

How can I use "is little enough" in a sentence?

You can use "is little enough" to express that something barely meets a certain requirement or standard. For example, "The funding allocated for the project is little enough to cover the essential expenses."

What can I say instead of "is little enough"?

You can use alternatives like "is just sufficient", "is barely adequate", or "is minimally sufficient" depending on the context.

Is "is little enough" formal or informal?

"Is little enough" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "is just sufficient" might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "is little enough" and "is not enough"?

"Is little enough" implies that something barely meets a requirement, whereas "is not enough" suggests that something fails to meet the requirement at all. The former has a nuance of marginal sufficiency that the latter lacks.