just enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity or degree that is sufficient but not excessive. Example: "She had just enough money to buy the groceries she needed for the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just enough.

The New Yorker

Just enough is just enough.

The Guardian - Sport

"It's just enough".

The New Yorker

I did just enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. Just enough Gollum.

The New Yorker

Just enough to survive".

The Guardian

It helped just enough.

The New York Times

Just enough offense, too.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's just — enough already".

The New York Times

Or maybe just enough.

The New Yorker

"They add just enough shine".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being considered sufficient. For example, "There was just enough space in the suitcase" is clearer than "There was just enough."

Common error

Avoid redundancy by explicitly stating what is "just enough" when it is already clearly implied. For example, avoid saying "That's just enough, I think" when the sufficiency is evident from the situation. Instead, rely on the context to convey meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just enough" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying nouns to indicate a quantity or degree that is sufficient without being excessive. It is often used to describe resources, effort, or qualities, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Wiki

19%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Just enough is a commonly used adjectival phrase that denotes sufficiency without excess. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely employed across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. The phrase serves to communicate adequacy and is considered to have a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "barely sufficient" and "scarcely adequate" exist, "just enough" remains a versatile and prevalent choice for expressing the idea of meeting requirements without overdoing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enough and no more

Stresses the limit of adequacy.

only just adequate

Underscores the marginal nature of the sufficiency.

barely sufficient

Emphasizes the minimum level of adequacy.

scarcely adequate

Highlights the narrow margin of sufficiency.

the minimum required

Directly indicates meeting the basic requirement.

sufficient but not abundant

Clarifies the presence of sufficiency without excess.

adequate for the purpose

Focuses on the suitability for a specific need.

ample enough

Slightly emphasizes the abundance of what is enough.

serviceable

Highlights the functionality and utility of the sufficiency.

passable

Suggests acceptability despite potential shortcomings.

FAQs

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

Use "just enough" to describe a quantity or degree that is sufficient but not excessive. For example, "She added "just enough salt" to enhance the flavor."

What are some alternatives to saying "just enough"?

You can use alternatives like "barely sufficient", "scarcely adequate", or "only just adequate" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to have "just enough" or more than enough?

It depends on the context. "Just enough" implies sufficiency without waste, which can be ideal in situations where resources are limited or precision is needed. However, in other situations, having more than enough might provide a buffer for error or unexpected needs.

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

"Just enough" indicates the minimum necessary amount to meet a requirement, while "more than enough" suggests an excess or surplus beyond what is needed. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize efficiency or abundance.