look like enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look like enough" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something appears to be sufficient, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The food on the table doesn't look like enough for everyone."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Sports

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So that may start to look like enough to be considered a separate product.

The New York Times

The money didn't look like enough in Bout 7, when a sweaty Mr. Horcher, a 154-pounder from Shermans Dale, Pa., bested Mr. Liguori, of Toms River, N.J.

The New York Times

But it does not look like enough to alter the balance of power on Capitol Hill.The campaign is becoming more like a traditional referendum on the president's economic performance.

The Economist

But on Sunday morning, the weather service said it did not look like enough would fall during the day to match the 1954 level, seeming to guarantee a new record.

The New York Times

The Committee will regularly review the pace of its securities purchases and the overall size of the asset-purchase program in light of incoming information and will adjust the program as needed to best foster maximum employment and price stability.It doesn't look like enough to satisfy the markets, given the way the Dow is falling.

The Economist

"This doesn't look like enough for an adult human".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Who knows what it might look like soon enough.

TechCrunch

My educated guess is that we'll find out what Bebo's future will look like soon enough.

TechCrunch

At the time, it looked like enough.

The New York Times - Sports

It looks like enough to give Vancouver an edge in what would otherwise be a match of doppelgängers.

The Guardian - Sport

The 1-0 lookedooked like enough for Maddux, who came in with 36 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings and needed 26 pitches to set down the first nine Mets.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "look like enough" with more precise language. For example, use "seems sufficient" or "appears adequate" to convey a sense of being adequate in a clearer way.

Common error

Avoid using "look like enough" in formal writing. It can sound unnatural and may confuse readers. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "seems adequate" or "appears sufficient".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look like enough" functions as a descriptor, attempting to convey that something appears to be sufficient or adequate. Ludwig AI indicates this phrasing is not considered standard English and offers clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Sports

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "look like enough" attempts to convey sufficiency or adequacy, Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's not grammatically sound in standard English. More precise and grammatically correct alternatives such as "seem sufficient" or "appear adequate" are recommended, especially in formal writing. Though present in some sources like The New York Times, The Guardian and BBC, its usage is infrequent and its grammatical status is disputed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look like it's enough

Adding 'it's' to clarify that some specific item, situation or value might be enough.

look adequate

Focuses on visual assessment and whether it seems suitable.

seem sufficient

Emphasizes adequacy and the appearance of being enough.

appear adequate

Highlights the perception of being satisfactory.

appear to be sufficient

More formal phrasing emphasizing the perceived sufficiency.

appear to be enough

Formal synonym.

look to be sufficient

Formal synonym.

resemble adequacy

Suggests similarity to a state of being adequate.

seem to suffice

Focuses on fulfilling a need or requirement.

be sufficient

Directly states that something is adequate without visual assessment.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "look like enough"?

Instead of "look like enough", you could use phrases such as "seem sufficient", "appear adequate", or "look adequate", depending on the specific context.

Is "look like enough" grammatically correct?

The phrase "look like enough" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "seems sufficient" or "appears to be enough".

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

You can use "seem sufficient" in sentences like: "The resources seem sufficient for the project's initial phase", or "The explanation seems sufficient to address my concerns".

What's the difference between "look like enough" and "look adequate"?

While both relate to appearance, "look adequate" is a more grammatically sound way to express that something appears to be sufficient. "Look like enough" is generally considered incorrect. Use "look adequate" for better clarity.