it will do

USAGE SUMMARY

"it will do" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express that something is sufficient or suitable for a particular purpose or situation. Here are a few examples of how it can be used in a sentence: - "I don't have the exact color you asked for, but this one is close enough. Will it do?" - "The quality of the product is not perfect, but it will do for now." - "I didn't have time to make a fancy dinner, so mac and cheese will have to do." In these examples, "it will do" is used to convey that the item or action being discussed may not be ideal, but it is satisfactory or acceptable in the given context.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This it will do.

The New Yorker

It will do for now.

The New York Times

It will do bad things".

The New York Times

But it will do neither.

The New York Times

It will do fine.

The New York Times - Sports

"It will do nothing.

The New York Times

It will do it".

The Guardian - Arts

It will do more than that.

The Economist

It will do him no harm.

The Economist

It will do little to reduce crime.

The Economist

Unreformed, it will do so again.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it will do" when you want to express that something is not ideal, but good enough for the situation. This is suitable when suggesting a temporary solution, accepting a compromise, or indicating minimal acceptability.

Common error

Avoid using "it will do" in situations that demand high precision or quality, such as formal reports or professional communications. Alternatives such as "that is sufficient" or "that meets the requirements" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will do" functions as an intransitive verb phrase. It expresses a state of being sufficient or suitable. Ludwig provides several examples where it indicates something meets the minimum requirements or serves a temporary purpose, confirming its utility in expressing adequacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it will do" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something is sufficient or acceptable, even if not ideal. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from news, scientific, and general sources. While suitable for a variety of contexts, it should be used cautiously in formal settings where greater precision or quality is expected. Related phrases such as "that suffices" or "that's adequate" offer alternatives for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's sufficient

Formally indicates that something meets the necessary requirements.

that'll suffice

A more concise and slightly less formal way of saying that something is enough.

that suffices

Emphasizes adequacy and satisfaction of a requirement.

that'll work

Indicates that something will be effective or suitable for a task.

that's adequate

Directly states the sufficient nature of something.

that's satisfactory

Indicates that something fulfills the requirements or expectations.

that's enough

Highlights that a certain amount is sufficient and no more is needed.

that's acceptable

Suggests that something is satisfactory, though potentially not ideal.

that's serviceable

Implies something is functional and can be used, although it may not be high quality.

that's passable

Suggests something barely meets the minimum requirements but is still acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "it will do" in a sentence?

Use "it will do" to indicate that something is adequate or acceptable, even if not perfect. For example, "This temporary solution isn't ideal, but "it will do" until we find a permanent fix."

What can I say instead of "it will do"?

You can use alternatives like "that suffices", "that's adequate", or "that's sufficient" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "it will do"?

It is appropriate when you want to express that something is sufficient for a specific purpose or situation, even if it is not the best option. It suggests a level of practicality or compromise.

What's the difference between ""it will do"" and "that's perfect"?

""it will do"" implies adequacy or bare sufficiency, whereas "that's perfect" conveys that something is ideal and exactly what is needed. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the degree of satisfaction.