just sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

"just sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that there is an exact or adequate amount of something. For example, "He had just sufficient money to buy a new car."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The original stator currents shown in the figure are just sufficient to produce the rotating magnetic field.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Openness is important, Spector says, but with large amounts of data, it is not just sufficient for systems to be able to process it.

The Guardian

Overall, 65 people were arrested and 50 injured.The trouble was just sufficient for the police to claim that their tactics had been justified.

The Economist

Critical damping just prevents vibration or is just sufficient to allow the object to return to its rest position in the shortest period of time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The EU trade deal may be years distant, but movement is just sufficient to keep the Europeans interested.Unengaged Americans are less patient.

The Economist

Once there David had just sufficient stones left to finish his man off, but it seemed as though he might be running out of ammunition against Miguel Angel Jiménez in the second round.

The Guardian - Sport

The plan was to race across the desert, then up the Nile and deliver a bundle of redcoats - just sufficient to convince dervish spies that the Brits were coming and buy time to save Gordon.

The Guardian - Books

However, the presented algorithm is not exact, just sufficient.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In the crisp methods, the measured data are just sufficient for unique characterization of the source.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

At the percolation threshold, there is just sufficient contact for the material to be conductive.

Nanoscale Research Letters

cPVC: The stage where there is just sufficient binder to wet the pigments.

Heritage Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just sufficient" to convey precision when indicating that something meets a requirement without exceeding it. For example, "The budget was just sufficient to cover the essential expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "just sufficient" when you actually mean "more than enough" or "ample". The phrase indicates a minimal level of adequacy, not abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just sufficient" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating the degree to which it meets a certain requirement or need. Ludwig confirms it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "just sufficient" is a grammatically correct and versatile adjectival modifier used to indicate that something meets a requirement or need with minimal excess. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples highlights its frequent use in scientific and news contexts, emphasizing the importance of conveying precision about adequacy. While alternatives like "barely adequate" or "only enough" exist, "just sufficient" provides a balanced and neutral way to express that something is precisely enough. Remember to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements of sufficiency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficient and no more

Explicitly states there is no surplus beyond what is needed.

no more than necessary

Highlights efficiency and avoidance of excess.

only enough

Emphasizes that the quantity is limited to what is strictly necessary.

just about enough

Conveys a sense of barely reaching the required level.

the minimum required

Stresses adherence to the lowest acceptable threshold.

barely adequate

Indicates a level of adequacy that is minimal, almost insufficient.

adequately limited

Shows a balance between fulfilling the need and keeping the amount controlled.

minimally acceptable

Focuses on meeting the lowest standard or requirement.

scarcely adequate

Highlights the narrow margin by which the amount meets requirements.

hardly sufficient

Suggests that the amount is borderline and may not fully satisfy the need.

FAQs

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

Use "just sufficient" to describe a quantity or degree that is adequate to meet a need or requirement, but not more. For example, "The funding was "just sufficient" to complete the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "just sufficient"?

Alternatives include "barely adequate", "only enough", or "minimally acceptable", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "just sufficient" or "completely sufficient"?

"Just sufficient" implies a minimal level of adequacy, whereas "completely sufficient" suggests that all requirements are fully met. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of adequacy you want to express.

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

"Just sufficient" means there is exactly enough to meet a need. "More than sufficient" indicates there is an excess or surplus available.