kindly enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kindly enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adverb used to show politeness or graciousness. For example, you might say, "She offered to help me, kindly enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

After a shotgun wedding at 17 she's tied to the kindly enough Cub, in every way not her equal.

The New York Times - Books

"I hope you don't mind me asking," he started kindly enough, "but I simply can't understand why anyone would ever want to be an elected Liberal Democrat politician".

The Guardian

("If your father does relent and you are well off, he will make you a kindly enough husband, so long as all goes well. But if he should not, and you were to be poor, your lot would be miserable.

The New Yorker

This title is hers to lose and when the draw fell kindly enough for the 2014 champion on Friday – keeping her away from the player for whom she has least affection on the Tour, as well as the steadily reviving Victoria Azarenka – the Russian had reason to be pleased.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

On a journey to check out his roots, he encounters ice and snow, obnoxious winter-sports competitors and Barb (Joanna Bacalso), a bar maid who knew his kindly mom well enough to inherit her shearling coat.

The New York Times

A physical therapist, at her sixth and last visit, said kindly: "He's had enough.

The New York Times

Jason and Amanda, love your neighbors enough to kindly nix the crass crèche.

Los Angeles Times

Kindly don't be naive enough to think that France and Germany did not have ulterior motives in their opposition to the war.

The Economist

If a no confidence vote from the kindly Angels was not bad enough, the conference's morning session was enlivened by a masterclass in political communication from Tony Blair's svengali, Alastair Campbell As You've Never Seen Him.

The Guardian

The main players are here to help, unchanged from the previous outing: Andrew Garfield is Peter Parker, otherwise known as Spider-Man (just add spandex); Emma Stone is Gwen Stacy, his on-off girlfriend; and Sally Field is Aunt May, a wise and kindly soul, though not wise enough to work out why, on the one occasion when Peter does his own laundry, everything turns red and blue.

The New Yorker

The museum was closed for the winter, but one of its volunteers, a kindly retiree named Peggy McWilliams, was good enough to give me a tour of the place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kindly enough" when you want to express that someone has acted with a degree of kindness that is sufficient or appropriate for the situation. It often implies a mild surprise or acknowledgment of someone's considerate behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "kindly enough" in highly formal or professional writing where a more direct or assertive tone is preferred. Opt for alternatives that convey a stronger sense of appreciation or acknowledgment.

Linguistic Context

Adverbial Modifier: "Kindly enough" typically functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to the verb it modifies by indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kindly enough" is a grammatically sound adverbial phrase used to express a sufficient degree of politeness or consideration. As Ludwig AI states, it is used to show politeness or graciousness. While its frequency is rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts, it serves to subtly acknowledge considerate behavior. For more formal settings, alternatives may be more suitable. Remember to use "kindly enough" to express mild surprise or acknowledgment of someone's considerate behavior, but avoid it in highly formal contexts for a more direct tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently polite

Replaces the adverb "kindly" with the adjective "polite", emphasizing the level of courtesy involved.

courteous enough

Focuses on adherence to social norms and etiquette.

gracious enough

Highlights the elegance and refinement of the action or statement.

considerate enough

Stresses the empathy and understanding behind the action.

generous enough

Shifts the focus from politeness to generosity, implying a willingness to give or offer something.

obliging enough

Highlights the willingness to help or comply with a request.

thoughtful enough

Emphasizes consideration for others, rather than just politeness.

amiable enough

Focuses on friendliness and approachability.

decent enough

Emphasizes basic respect and adherence to moral standards.

civil enough

Highlights politeness as a baseline expectation in social interactions.

FAQs

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

You can use "kindly enough" to express that someone has shown sufficient kindness in a particular situation, such as "She offered to help me with the project, "kindly enough"".

What are some alternatives to "kindly enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently polite", "generous enough", or "gracious enough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kindly enough" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "kindly enough" may sound somewhat informal or understated for very formal contexts. Consider using more direct expressions of gratitude or appreciation in such cases.

What's the difference between "kindly enough" and "kind enough"?

"Kindly enough" emphasizes the manner in which someone acts, highlighting their politeness. "Kind enough", on the other hand, focuses more on the overall quality of their character and willingness to help or be considerate.