just about enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just about enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is nearly sufficient or adequate, but not quite fully so. Example: "After reviewing the budget, I realized we have just about enough funds to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just about enough to read.

Independent

This should be just about enough.

The Economist

And he's had just about enough.

The New Yorker

He's doing just about enough here.

The Guardian - Sport

This arrangement allows people to get just about enough calories.

The Economist

The new boy does just about enough to recover, though.

The Guardian - Sport

Each has just about enough power to frustrate the other.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many, in fact, have heard just about enough of it.

The New York Times

He's had just about enough touchy-feely for one evening.

The New York Times - Magazine

Luckily, he'd built up just about enough goodwill to smile the anti-climax away.

Independent

A self-answering question immediately arises: Have we not had just about enough of this cheeky chappie?

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just about enough" to create a sense of tension or uncertainty, suggesting that the margin for error is small.

Common error

Avoid using "just about enough" when something is clearly more than sufficient. This phrase implies a degree of scarcity or limitation, so misusing it can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just about enough" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun to indicate a quantity or degree that is nearly sufficient but not abundant. Ludwig AI validates this usage, showcasing its prevalence in expressing near-sufficiency across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

14%

Science

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just about enough" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is nearly sufficient but not abundant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. Its function is adjectival, its purpose is to convey near-sufficiency, and its register is generally neutral. When writing, remember that the phrase sets a tone of precariousness or limited resources, so use it when the described level is slightly less than perfectly adequate but still functional or acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly enough

A straightforward alternative that directly conveys the idea of approaching sufficiency.

close to sufficient

Focuses on the proximity to the point of being sufficient.

almost adequate

Highlights the nearness to adequacy, implying a slight deficiency.

just barely adequate

Reinforces the idea of minimal adequacy by using a double qualifier.

barely sufficient

Emphasizes the minimal level of sufficiency, suggesting it's at the lower limit.

sufficient, but not much

Adds explicit clarification about the limited extent of the sufficiency.

practically sufficient

Indicates that the level is sufficient from a practical, if not theoretical, standpoint.

scarcely adequate

Implies that the level of sufficiency is achieved with difficulty.

almost up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate nearness to the required standard.

on the verge of being sufficient

Suggests that sufficiency is imminent, close to being attained.

FAQs

How can I use "just about enough" in a sentence?

You can use "just about enough" to indicate that something is nearly sufficient or adequate, but not quite fully so. For example: "After reviewing the budget, I realized we have just about enough funds to complete the project."

What are some alternatives to saying "just about enough"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly enough", "almost adequate", or "barely sufficient" depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "just enough" or "just about enough"?

"Just enough" implies a precise level of sufficiency, whereas "just about enough" suggests it's slightly less than perfectly sufficient. The better choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "just about enough" and "more than enough"?

"Just about enough" indicates a minimal level of sufficiency, while "more than enough" implies an abundance or surplus. They are essentially opposites in meaning.