it is not enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

"It is not enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that a particular action, suggestion, or plan will not fully satisfy a particular requirement, goal, or objective. Example sentence: "It is not enough to simply pay the bill - we also need to figure out a way to reduce our long-term costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not enough to be poor.

The New York Times - Health

It is not enough to free them.

The Economist

It is not enough to be fair.

The Washington Post

It is not enough to save Earth.

The New Yorker

"It is not enough to remember them.

The New York Times

It is not enough to muddle through.

The Guardian - Business

It is not enough to eat.

The Guardian - Books

It is not enough to open doors.

The New York Times

It is not enough to simply make gardening space available.

Cornell University

Thus, it is not enough to simply condemn the attacks.

Stanford University

Ultimately, it is not enough to have a good idea.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, be specific about what else is needed. Avoid vague statements; clearly articulate the additional steps, qualities, or resources necessary to achieve the desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "It is not enough to [action]" without specifying what additional steps are necessary. Failing to clarify the remaining requirements weakens the impact of your statement and leaves the audience without a clear understanding of what to do next.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is not enough to" functions as an introductory expression that sets up a contrast. It introduces an action or state and then indicates that this action or state is insufficient on its own, implying that further action is needed. Ludwig provides ample examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It is not enough to" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the need for further action beyond an initial step. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly employed across various contexts. To effectively use this phrase, clearly articulate both the insufficient action and the necessary additions. Remember, simply stating the initial action's inadequacy is not enough; you must specify what more is required to achieve the desired outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it takes more than

Replaces "it is not enough to" by focusing on the additional requirements beyond the initial action.

it's insufficient to

Uses "insufficient" to directly state the inadequacy of the initial action.

merely doing that won't suffice

Emphasizes that a simple action is not adequate to achieve the desired result.

that alone is not sufficient

Highlights the insufficiency of a single action by explicitly stating that it's not enough "alone".

more than that is required

Focuses on the necessity of going beyond the initial action to achieve a complete outcome.

it requires something beyond

Indicates a need for additional factors or actions beyond the initial step.

that's only part of the solution

Frames the initial action as incomplete, representing only a fraction of the overall solution.

it does not fully address the issue

Points out that the action only partially resolves the problem at hand.

that's just scratching the surface

Suggests that the action only addresses the superficial aspects of the problem, leaving deeper issues untouched.

further steps are necessary

Directly states that the initial action necessitates additional measures to achieve a complete outcome.

FAQs

What does "It is not enough to" imply in a sentence?

The phrase "It is not enough to" indicates that a particular action or measure is insufficient on its own to achieve a desired outcome or fully address a situation. It suggests that further actions or considerations are necessary.

How can I use "It is not enough to" effectively in my writing?

To use "It is not enough to" effectively, clearly state the initial action or condition that is insufficient, and then specify what additional steps or elements are needed to achieve the desired result. For example, "It is not enough to raise awareness; we must also implement concrete solutions."

Are there alternatives to "It is not enough to" that I can use for variety?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "it takes more than", "it's insufficient to", or "merely doing that won't suffice" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "It is not enough to"?

Yes, the phrase "It is not enough to" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts. It is a standard way to express that something more is required.