not quite enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"not quite enough" is a grammatically correct phrase that is used frequently in written English.
It can be used to express something that is almost enough, but not fully sufficient. For example, "I think I have enough money to buy the new iPhone, but it's not quite enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This is not quite enough.

The New York Times - Arts

But that's not quite enough.

The New York Times - Arts

They liked it, but not quite enough.

The New York Times

There is not quite enough room.

The New Yorker

But that was not quite enough.

The New Yorker

Not quite enough hot water.

The New York Times - Travel

It's not quite enough, really.

The Guardian

Not quite enough consumer news.

The New Yorker

Jagr scored, but not quite enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Unfortunately, it was not quite enough.

The Guardian - Sport

The Kenyan efforts were not quite enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not quite enough" to express a nuanced assessment where something almost meets a requirement but ultimately falls short. This adds precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "not quite enough" when something is drastically insufficient. The phrase implies a small margin of difference, not a large gap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not quite enough" functions as a degree modifier, typically used to qualify a noun or verb phrase. It indicates that something almost meets a requirement or standard but ultimately falls short. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not quite enough" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is almost, but not fully, sufficient. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media, Sport and Arts, maintaining a neutral register applicable across various contexts. When using this phrase, consider that while alternatives exist, "not quite enough" is the best option to nuance the explanation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost but not quite

Highlights the near-success, but ultimate failure to reach a threshold.

slightly insufficient

Indicates a minor degree of inadequacy.

scarcely sufficient

Suggests that something is barely enough to meet the need.

somewhat lacking

Highlights a partial absence or deficiency.

marginally inadequate

Suggests that something barely meets the minimum requirement.

deficient to a degree

Highlights a measurable deficiency.

a bit shy of

Informal way of saying something is a little less than needed.

just under the mark

Indicates that something is slightly below the required level.

not entirely satisfactory

Focuses on the level of satisfaction rather than quantity.

falls a little short

Emphasizes the failure to reach a desired standard or amount.

FAQs

How can I use "not quite enough" in a sentence?

Use "not quite enough" to indicate that something is close to being sufficient, but ultimately isn't. For example, "I had enough ingredients to bake a cake, but the flour was "not quite enough"".

What are some alternatives to "not quite enough"?

Alternatives include "slightly insufficient", "somewhat lacking", or "almost but not quite". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "not quite enough" or "not enough"?

"Not enough" is a more general statement indicating insufficiency. "Not quite enough" suggests something is close to being sufficient. Use "not quite enough" when you want to emphasize the nearness to adequacy.

What's the difference between "not quite enough" and "barely enough"?

"Barely enough" suggests that something is just sufficient and there's no surplus. "Not quite enough" indicates that something falls slightly short of being sufficient. They are near opposites in meaning.