it is not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'it is not enough' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to express dissatisfaction with the amount or quality of something. For example: "After working 10 hours a day all week, I received a salary of just $500. It is not enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it is not enough.

The New York Times

It is not enough, though.

The Economist

And yet it is not enough.

The New York Times

"i" knows it is not enough power.

The New Yorker

It is not enough to be poor.

The New York Times - Health

It is not enough to free them.

The Economist

All good, but it is not enough.

The New Yorker

Obviously it is not enough".

The New York Times

It is not enough to save Earth.

The New Yorker

It is not enough, her neighbors say.

The New York Times

But campaigners say it is not enough.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it is not enough", clarify what "it" refers to and why it's insufficient. Providing specific reasons strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "it is not enough" without clearly defining what "it" represents. Ambiguity can weaken your message. Always ensure the subject is explicitly stated or easily understood from the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not enough" functions as a judgmental statement, expressing that something fails to meet a required standard or satisfy a particular need. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, with examples demonstrating its use across various contexts to indicate insufficiency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is not enough" is a versatile expression used to convey that something is insufficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and formal business contexts, its purpose is to express dissatisfaction or to highlight the need for more. To use it effectively, ensure clarity in referencing what "it" signifies. While alternatives like ""it is insufficient"" or ""it falls short"" exist, "it is not enough" remains a common and direct way to communicate a lack of sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it falls short

This alternative is more concise and directly expresses the idea that something doesn't meet the required standard.

it is insufficient

This alternative uses a more formal term to convey the same meaning of inadequacy.

it is inadequate

This alternative conveys that something doesn't meet the needs or requirements of a situation.

it is lacking

This alternative emphasizes the absence of something necessary, implying a deficiency.

it's not up to par

This alternative indicates that something doesn't meet a certain standard or expectation.

it's not cutting it

This alternative is a more informal way to say something is not performing well enough.

it won't suffice

This alternative implies that something is not acceptable or adequate for a particular purpose.

it's just not good enough

This alternative adds emphasis to the statement, highlighting the disappointment or frustration with the inadequacy.

more is needed

This alternative is a shorter, more direct way to express the need for additional resources or effort.

it's far from perfect

This alternative suggests that while something may exist, it's significantly short of the ideal or desired state.

FAQs

How can I use "it is not enough" in a sentence?

Use "it is not enough" to express that something is insufficient or inadequate to meet a certain need or expectation. For example, "The initial investment was helpful, but "it is not enough" to cover all the expenses."

What are some alternatives to "it is not enough"?

You can use phrases like "it is insufficient", "it falls short", or "it is inadequate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that's not enough" instead of "it is not enough"?

Yes, "that's not enough" is a perfectly acceptable and often more conversational alternative to "it is not enough". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "it is not enough" and "it is never enough"?

"It is not enough" indicates a current deficiency, while "it is never enough" implies a perpetual state of inadequacy, suggesting that no matter how much is provided, it will always be insufficient.