merely enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"merely enough" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used when discussing an amount or quantity that is just sufficient or barely adequate for a certain purpose or situation. For example: - "His savings were merely enough to cover the cost of the trip." - "Her performance was merely enough to secure her a spot on the team." - "The small amount of evidence was merely enough to cast suspicion on the suspect, but not enough to convict him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Without enough to eat, life is nasty; with merely enough to eat, it feels empty.

The New Yorker

Many do not have enough to live on – merely enough to continue to exist.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet they become millionaires not through a financial 'push' ($100 is merely enough these days to buy pants), but through their firm resolve, unwavering foresight, unflinching drive and uncapped ingenuity.

Huffington Post

Island ecosystems that are dependent on flying foxes require not merely enough animals to maintain a viable population, but sufficient numbers for them to continue to disperse seeds and sustain the forests they ultimately depend on.

AoB PLANTS

It's not merely enough to stitch a few photos together, though.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The doubters are merely wise enough to have doubts.

Independent

They merely buckled enough for Ottawa to start a comeback.

The New York Times - Sports

It is merely doing enough for the economy to survive, not thrive.

The New York Times

The images were merely lovely enough to keep the attention of editors during the show.

The New York Times

Reta was merely savvy enough to know what people wanted to hear.

The New Yorker

To say that movies are — and are intended to be — merely good enough feels at once like a statement of the obvious and a heresy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely enough" to precisely communicate that something is sufficient but not abundant. This phrase is useful when highlighting a limitation or potential deficiency.

Common error

Avoid using "merely enough" when you actually mean something is more than adequate. This phrase implies a minimal level of sufficiency and should not be used if there is a surplus or abundance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely enough" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically intensifying the adjective "enough". It indicates that something barely reaches the level of being sufficient. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is acceptable and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely enough" functions as an adverbial modifier that indicates something is just sufficient. Ludwig AI shows its acceptable and provides real-world examples, where it communicates a sense of minimal sufficiency and highlights a limitation. While grammatical and understandable, it's categorized as rare usage. When writing, use "merely enough" to precisely communicate a limiting condition, avoiding it when more than adequacy is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Barely sufficient

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the sufficiency.

Just sufficient

Highlights that the amount is exactly what is needed and no more.

Hardly adequate

Stresses the potential inadequacy or borderline nature of the amount.

Sufficient but not abundant

Clarifies that the quantity is adequate but not plentiful.

Minimally adequate

Emphasizes the bare minimum level of adequacy.

Scarcely adequate

Underscores the scarcity or limited nature of the sufficiency.

Adequate at best

Implies that the adequacy is the most positive thing that can be said about it.

Enough and nothing more

Highlights the limitation to only the needed amount.

Just making it

Informal way to communicate that the situation is hardly optimal but acceptable.

By the skin of one's teeth

Idiomatic way to describe a situation where something is achieved but only just.

FAQs

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

Use "merely enough" to indicate that something is just sufficient for a particular purpose or situation. For example, "His salary was "merely enough" to cover his living expenses."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "merely enough"?

Alternatives include "just sufficient", "barely adequate", or "hardly sufficient", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "just enough" or "merely enough"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Just enough" is more neutral, while "merely enough" emphasizes the bare minimum or a sense of limitation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "enough" and "merely enough"?

"Enough" implies a satisfactory quantity or degree. "Merely enough" suggests that the quantity or degree is only just satisfactory, and perhaps not ideal. It adds a sense of reservation or qualification.