is not big enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not big enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that lacks sufficient size or capacity for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The suitcase is not big enough to hold all of my clothes for the trip."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is not big enough?

The New York Times - Magazine

Parents say that is not big enough.

The New York Times

My capacity is not big enough.

The New Yorker

"It is not big enough to risk.

The Guardian - Sport

UC is big, but it is not big enough.

University of California, Berkeley

But in overall budget terms, it is not big enough.

The New York Times

The city's general fund is not big enough for everything".

The New York Times

"My ego is not big enough to not involve others.

The New York Times - Sports

New York is not big enough for two mayors.

The New York Times

This town is not big enough for both of them.

The Guardian - Sport

His dining table, he says, is not big enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not big enough", ensure the context clearly defines what standard or requirement is not being met. For instance, "The budget is not big enough to cover all the planned expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "is not big enough" without specifying what the subject needs to be bigger for. Without clear context, the phrase becomes ambiguous and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not big enough" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that it lacks sufficient size or capacity to meet a specific need or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not big enough" is a versatile and common expression used to indicate that something lacks the necessary size or capacity for a specific purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted. Its usage spans various contexts, from academic and scientific writing to news and general conversation. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the context and requirement that the subject fails to meet. While alternatives like "is too small" or "is insufficient" can be used, "is not big enough" provides a direct and easily understood way to express inadequacy in size or scope.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is too small

Direct synonym indicating insufficient size.

is not large enough

Rephrasing with a more explicit focus on size.

is insufficient

Focuses on the inadequacy of something to meet requirements.

does not suffice

More formal way of saying something is not enough.

falls short

Implies a failure to reach a required standard or size.

is inadequate

Highlights the lack of necessary qualities or quantity.

lacks the capacity

Specifically addresses the inability to hold or contain something.

is not ample

Indicates a lack of abundance or plentifulness.

is limited

Emphasizes the restricted nature or extent of something.

cannot accommodate

Focuses on the inability to contain or provide space for something.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is not big enough"?

You can use alternatives like "is too small", "is insufficient", or "does not suffice" depending on the context.

How do I use "is not big enough" in a sentence?

The phrase "is not big enough" is used to indicate that something lacks the required size or capacity. For example: "The room is not big enough for all the guests" or "The hard drive is not big enough to store all the data".

Which is correct, "is not big enough" or "isn't big enough"?

Both "is not big enough" and "isn't big enough" are correct. "Isn't big enough" is a contraction of "is not big enough" and is generally used in more informal contexts.

When should I use "is not big enough" versus "is too small"?

"Is not big enough" and "is too small" are often interchangeable. However, "is not big enough" can sometimes imply a specific required size that is not met, while "is too small" is a more general statement of size.