it may be sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may be sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting that something could meet the necessary requirements or standards, but there is some uncertainty involved. Example: "Based on the current data, it may be sufficient to proceed with the project as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Yesterday's flurry was not enough in itself to bring the change, but it may be sufficient to do harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

To protect the provisioning and supporting services provided by microbes it may be sufficient to protect them at the functional group level.

Science of The Total Environment

Under exceptional conditions, however, it may be sufficient to base evaluation on diagnostic accuracy studies combined with further information (mostly from treatment trials).

Zeitschrift für Evidenz, Fortbildung und Qualität im Gesundheitswesen

Figure 4 suggests that when the first score is high (≳0.8) it may be sufficient to automatically assign the first category with a high confidence of it being the correct one.

Nature

The statute refers to appointees "on the policymaking level," not to appointees "who make policy". It may be sufficient that the appointee is in a position requiring the exercise of discretion concerning issues of public importance.

Cornell University

"It may be sufficient," he adds.

Forbes

In such cases, it may be sufficient to use synchronization services such as Dropbox or Box.com.

Duke University

Nevertheless, it may be sufficient to create a medium-sized family business, which is a good idea, but not the case for venture capital.

TechCrunch

For immediate use in support of rapid modelling efforts, it may be sufficient to use so-called quasi-definitive observatory data.

Earth, Planets and Space

Over the medium term, it may be sufficient to retain spot treatments of terbuthylazine and hexazinone as this markedly reduces use of these herbicides.

New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

He has a very high opinion of it-I have had asample of it assayed & am assured it will yield about 60 or 70percent of lead from the 100 lb. of ore.... Therefore come inperson or employ a confidential friend to judge for thee in thisimportant affair-it may be sufficient to restore all thy losses.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider rephrasing for stronger or more decisive statements. If you know something is sufficient, avoid hedging with "may be". Use a more direct assertion.

Common error

Avoid using "it may be sufficient" when the context calls for a definitive statement. Overusing tentative language can weaken your argument or make you sound indecisive. Choose stronger phrasing when certainty is warranted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may be sufficient" functions as a hedge, softening a claim about adequacy. It introduces a degree of uncertainty or possibility regarding whether something meets the necessary requirements. Ludwig AI suggests the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it may be sufficient" is a versatile phrase used to express that something could meet requirements, though without absolute certainty. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and common in writing. This phrase finds frequent use in the sciences and news, where careful qualification is valued, as well as in academia. While the phrase appears across various contexts, remember to consider more direct phrasing when expressing confidence and expressing a situation that would require to be less hedged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might suffice

Replaces "be sufficient" with "suffice", offering a slightly more concise alternative.

it could be enough

Substitutes "may be sufficient" with "could be enough", indicating a similar level of possibility and adequacy.

it might be adequate

Replaces "sufficient" with "adequate", suggesting a comparable level of acceptability or suitability.

it could prove adequate

Emphasizes the potential for adequacy, adding a sense of anticipation or future verification.

it may prove adequate

Suggests a future assessment of adequacy, similar to "it could prove adequate" but with a slightly different nuance.

it might just do the trick

Offers a more informal and idiomatic way of saying that something could be sufficient.

it may meet the requirements

Focuses on meeting specific requirements or standards, rather than general sufficiency.

it may be up to the task

Implies capability and suitability for a particular task or challenge.

that might be all that's needed

Emphasizes that no more than the specified thing is necessary.

that could be all that's required

Highlights that nothing more than the indicated item might be compulsory.

FAQs

How can I use "it may be sufficient" in a sentence?

Use "it may be sufficient" to suggest that something potentially meets the needed requirements. For instance, "Based on the initial analysis, it may be sufficient to proceed with the current strategy".

What are some alternatives to "it may be sufficient"?

You can use alternatives like "it might suffice", "it could be enough", or "it might be adequate" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "it may be sufficient" or "it is sufficient"?

"It may be sufficient" implies uncertainty, suggesting something might meet the needs. "It is sufficient" asserts certainty. Choose based on your level of confidence.

When should I avoid using "it may be sufficient"?

Avoid using "it may be sufficient" when you want to express a definitive statement or when the context requires a strong assertion. In such cases, a more direct phrase is more suitable.