noble enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "noble enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that meets a certain standard of nobility or virtue, often in a comparative context. Example: "His actions were noble enough to earn him the respect of his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Sport

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Seems noble enough.

The New York Times

The idea seems noble enough.

The New York Times

This is a noble enough ambition.

The Guardian

But if their ostensible aim is noble enough, their tactics are often brutal.

The Economist

The notice at the front of Mr Bremer's desk is noble enough: "Success has a thousand fathers".

The Economist

Well, one purpose is to retrieve value for taxpayers, which is a noble enough mission in life.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

That gave the nobles enough leverage to check absolutism.

The Economist

'Great design needn't cost the earth' sounds like a noble-enough slogan, but when applied to its ghastly selection of sofas, it's just plain wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Goals in each half from Garry Thompson and Liam Noble were enough to seal the points despite Nathan Tyson's late penalty.

The Guardian - Sport

In the conspicuously insider patois of the show, the space is called "the Sit Room," and this is roughly the Situation: for the last two years, "West Wing" has become one of the most popular shows in America because, among other things, Sorkin has been able to give his kinder, gentler, nobler White House enough verisimilitude to seem tantalizingly possible.

The New York Times - Magazine

Though cut, the unfailingly entertaining production served Handel's noble opera well enough.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "noble enough", consider the audience and the specific connotations you wish to convey. While 'noble' generally has positive associations, ensure it aligns with the tone and register of your writing.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on "noble enough" when other phrases might offer greater precision or nuance. Consider alternatives like "sufficiently noble", "adequately virtuous", or "moral enough" to refine your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "noble enough" functions as an adjectival modifier, indicating that something possesses a sufficient degree of nobility. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It modifies a noun, expressing that a certain threshold of nobility has been met. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe aims, causes, and ideals.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Food

5%

Less common in

Sport

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "noble enough" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, serving as an adjectival modifier to indicate a sufficient degree of nobility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s utilized to express that something is adequately virtuous or honorable, commonly appearing in news and media contexts. While not exceedingly frequent, its usage is consistent and appropriate across a range of topics. Writers should consider synonyms like "sufficiently noble" or "moral enough" to enhance precision and avoid overuse. Ultimately, "noble enough" is a valuable phrase for expressing nuanced judgments about moral qualities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently noble

Emphasizes the presence of nobility to a required degree.

adequately virtuous

Highlights moral virtue being present to a satisfactory level.

moral enough

Focuses specifically on morality as the qualifying factor.

justifiable enough

Suggests the action or motive is defensible or excusable to a certain extent.

acceptably honorable

Implies the level of honor is within acceptable limits.

respectable enough

Indicates a level of respectability that meets a minimum standard.

worthy enough

Highlights the worthiness or merit of something in a comparative sense.

ethical enough

Focuses on the ethical considerations and whether they meet the required standard.

decent enough

Suggests a basic level of goodness or morality is present.

passably righteous

Indicates the presence of righteousness, though perhaps not to a great extent.

FAQs

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

You can use "noble enough" to describe an action, motive, or quality that possesses a sufficient degree of nobility or moral virtue for a specific purpose. For example, "His intentions were noble enough, but his methods were questionable."

What are some alternatives to using "noble enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "sufficiently noble", "moral enough", or "worthy enough". Each alternative varies slightly in its emphasis.

Is "noble enough" formal or informal?

"Noble enough" is generally considered suitable for neutral to formal contexts. It's appropriate for expressing that something meets a certain standard of nobility or virtue without being overly colloquial.

What is the difference between "noble enough" and "sufficiently noble"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "sufficiently noble" directly emphasizes that something meets the required level of nobility, whereas "noble enough" implies the nobility is adequate for a given purpose or situation. They are largely interchangeable, but "sufficiently noble" might be more direct.