may be sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may be sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has the potential to meet a requirement or need, but it is not guaranteed. Example: "The resources provided may be sufficient to complete the project on time, but we should prepare for any unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This may be sufficient to stop the problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So the one remaining room with natural light and ventilation may be sufficient under the code.

The New York Times

A pattern of threats or specific manifestations of public hostility may be sufficient.

The New York Times

They still have the upper hand: a lead of 350 may be sufficient.

The Guardian - Sport

A man may only have two sperm to rub together and that may be sufficient to derive a live birth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Look at your washing pattern: if you like to wash few clothes regularly then a smaller drum may be sufficient.

The Guardian - Money

Yesterday's flurry was not enough in itself to bring the change, but it may be sufficient to do harm.

The Guardian - Opinion

Death sentences must be unanimous; two-thirds or three-quarters may be sufficient for conviction of lesser offenses.

The New Yorker

A fiscal plan this hazy may be sufficient for primary voters.

The New York Times

Or the valuation alone may be sufficient to give pause to the axeman, or the taxman.

The Economist

One or both of these factors may be sufficient to ban these devices.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, follow "may be sufficient" with a conditional clause to specify under which circumstances it applies. This enhances precision and avoids overstatement.

Common error

Avoid using "may be sufficient" when stronger certainty is warranted. If evidence strongly suggests adequacy, consider using "is likely to be sufficient" or "is sufficient" to convey greater confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may be sufficient" functions as a modal phrase expressing possibility and conditional adequacy. As shown by Ludwig, it indicates that something has the potential to meet a requirement or need, but it is not guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may be sufficient" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression indicating a potential or conditional adequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal communications. While versatile, it is essential to use it accurately, avoiding overstatement and ensuring clarity regarding what is expected to be sufficient. Alternatives like "could be adequate" or "might be enough" offer nuanced options for expressing similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be adequate

Replaces "may" with "could", implying a slightly lower degree of certainty while maintaining the core meaning of adequacy.

might be enough

Substitutes "may" with "might" and "sufficient" with "enough", offering a more informal tone while conveying similar possibility.

could prove adequate

Adds "prove" to suggest a future demonstration of adequacy, implying a test or verification process.

might just suffice

Emphasizes the marginal adequacy with "just" and replaces "sufficient" with "suffice", indicating a minimal level of acceptance.

could potentially work

Shifts focus to the functionality aspect with "work", suggesting that something might function or be effective.

might serve the purpose

Highlights the fulfillment of a specific purpose, suggesting that something might be suitable for a particular task.

could meet the requirements

Focuses on compliance with specific criteria, suggesting that something might satisfy particular standards.

might be deemed satisfactory

Introduces a subjective evaluation aspect with "deemed satisfactory", implying that someone's judgment is involved.

could be considered adequate

Similar to "might be deemed satisfactory", but places less emphasis on an individual's judgment.

might measure up

This is an idiomatic alternative that means something might reach the expected standard

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may be sufficient" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "could prove adequate" or "might meet the requirements", which convey a similar meaning with increased sophistication.

What's the difference between "may be sufficient" and "is sufficient"?

"May be sufficient" indicates a possibility or potential for adequacy, whereas "is sufficient" asserts a definite state of being adequate. The former implies uncertainty, while the latter conveys certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "may be sufficient" instead of "is enough"?

Use "may be sufficient" in formal or technical contexts where you want to express a qualified assessment of adequacy. "Is enough" is more suitable for informal settings or when conveying a straightforward sense of sufficiency.

What are some common synonyms for "may be sufficient" in academic writing?

In academic writing, you can use synonyms like "could be adequate", "might just suffice", or "might serve the purpose" to add nuance and precision to your language.