just not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just not enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is insufficient or inadequate in a particular context. Example: "Despite my efforts, the support I received was just not enough to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It's just not enough.

The New York Times

Just not enough improvement.

The New York Times - Sports

There's just not enough evidence".

The New York Times

There's just not enough money".

The New York Times

Being creative is just not enough.

The New York Times

"There's just not enough risk taking".

The New York Times

"It's just not enough," he said.

The New Yorker

There's just not enough of them.

The New York Times

"It's just not enough to do.

The New York Times

"It's just not enough," she said.

The New York Times

"Whole binders" are just not enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "just not enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what is insufficient. For example, specify what is lacking: "The funding was just not enough to complete the project".

Common error

Avoid using "just not enough" without specifying what is insufficient. Ambiguity can confuse the reader; always clarify the lacking element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just not enough" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something is insufficient or inadequate to meet a particular need or achieve a desired outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just not enough" is a commonly used phrase to indicate that something is insufficient or inadequate. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is lacking. Alternatives like ""simply insufficient"" or ""merely inadequate"" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simply insufficient

Replaces "just" with "simply" and "enough" with its synonym "insufficient", maintaining a similar level of informality but adding some emphasis.

clearly insufficient

Substitutes "just" with "clearly", reinforcing the obvious nature of the insufficiency.

merely inadequate

Uses "merely" instead of "just" and "inadequate" in place of "not enough", suggesting a slight understatement of the insufficiency.

patently inadequate

Uses "patently" instead of "just" and "inadequate" for "not enough", denoting an obvious inadequacy.

plainly deficient

Employs "plainly" for "just" and "deficient" as a stronger synonym of "not enough", emphasizing a clear lack.

far from adequate

Expresses the idea by stating the opposite of adequate, underlining the deficiency.

decidedly lacking

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal expression, indicating a clear absence or shortage.

nowhere near sufficient

Emphasizes the extent of the insufficiency with a spatial metaphor, indicating it's greatly lacking.

not remotely adequate

Indicates the insufficiency by suggesting that something is not even close to being adequate.

scarcely sufficient

Implies that something is barely enough, highlighting the limited extent to which it meets requirements.

FAQs

What does "just not enough" mean?

The phrase "just not enough" means that something is insufficient or inadequate for a particular purpose or need. It implies that while there may be some of something available, it is not sufficient to meet the requirements.

How can I use "just not enough" in a sentence?

You can use "just not enough" to express that something is lacking or inadequate. For example: "The resources were "simply insufficient" to address the crisis effectively", or "His effort was "merely inadequate" to secure the victory".

What are some alternatives to saying "just not enough"?

Alternatives to "just not enough" include "simply insufficient", "merely inadequate", or "decidedly lacking". The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "not enough" or "just not enough"?

Both "not enough" and "just not enough" are grammatically correct and understandable. Adding "just" can add a slight emphasis or convey a sense of resignation, but the difference is often subtle. Using "simply insufficient" could sound more formal.