obliging enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obliging enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is willing to help or accommodate others to a satisfactory degree. Example: "She was obliging enough to assist me with my project, even though she had her own deadlines to meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Many good container plants – fuchsia, diascia, helichrysum, ivy-leaved geraniums, nemesia, variegated plectranthus, verbena, bacopa – are obliging enough to thrive in sun or half-shade.

Independent

The story opens well, with three adolescent girls from Cincinnati playing at witchcraft, trying to conjure an "angel" obliging enough to initiate them into woman­hood.

The New York Times - Books

On submission he was obliging enough, after borrowing a cigarette, to conduct me to the back door of the Gresham Hotel, where after a long parley behind barricaded doors they gave me shelter.

The Guardian

At a time when even the important acts of daily life are largely matters of convenience, chance remains at hunting's core: present in how scent lies on the ground, in which way the wind blows, in how animals detect a hunter's footfall, and, increasingly, in whether those same animals are then obliging enough to stay off private land.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Garfield, suave and British, obliged long enough to explain that he was, in fact, a Facebook dropout.

The New York Times

"Give me some motherfucking pimp music!" he demands of his DJ, who immediately obliges: improbably enough, motherfucking pimp music seems to involve a steel band.

The Guardian - Music

And Sinn Fein does feel obliged naturally enough to assert its position, and claim the legitimacy... for the republican's past".

BBC

She has been living with the bland, obliging Anthony Jeramy Guilloryy) long enough for their love affair to turn into a "brother-sister relationship," which means that Anthony cooks and cleans and Samantha sleeps late, trying to recover from the major hangover, from alcohol and cocaine consumption, she has earned the night before.

The New York Times

Lucas duly obliged but with enough precision that Stojkovic could not reach the shot.

The Guardian - Sport

Ryan had obliged, only long enough to make it through the election.

Huffington Post

In case of broken pipes, water supply companies are obliged to traffic enough water to an affected community.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obliging enough" when you want to convey that someone is helpful or willing to assist to a satisfactory or acceptable degree, without necessarily going above and beyond.

Common error

Avoid using "obliging enough" when you mean to convey exceptional helpfulness or extraordinary effort. The phrase implies a sufficient, but not necessarily outstanding, level of assistance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obliging enough" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, describing someone or something that is sufficiently willing to help or comply. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a satisfactory level of willingness or helpfulness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obliging enough" is used to describe someone who is sufficiently willing to help or cooperate. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and usable. The phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts and has a neutral tone. While its frequency is relatively low, it serves a specific purpose in conveying a satisfactory level of helpfulness, as distinct from exceptional or extraordinary assistance. Alternatives such as "sufficiently accommodating" or "helpful to a degree" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently accommodating

Emphasizes providing suitable arrangements or assistance.

helpful to a degree

Highlights helpfulness, but may suggest a limit or boundary.

kind enough to assist

Specifically focuses on the kindness in offering help.

willing to cooperate sufficiently

Focuses on willingness and adequate cooperation.

sufficiently compliant

Highlights adherence to a request or rule to an acceptable level.

generous enough to help

Emphasizes the generosity involved in providing aid.

accommodating to a satisfactory level

Highlights the act of accommodating, reaching a satisfactory point.

adequately helpful

Directly states that the help provided is adequate.

sufficiently amenable

Highlights the willingness to be agreeable and compliant.

obliging to a reasonable extent

Emphasizes obliging behavior, but within reasonable limits.

FAQs

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

Use "obliging enough" to describe someone who is willing to help or accommodate to a satisfactory degree. For example, "She was "obliging enough" to assist me with my project, even though she had her own deadlines to meet."

What are some alternatives to "obliging enough"?

Alternatives include "sufficiently accommodating", "helpful to a degree", or "kind enough to assist", depending on the context and desired nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "obliging enough" versus another similar phrase?

"Obliging enough" is suitable when you want to convey that someone met a certain level of helpfulness without necessarily exceeding expectations. Other phrases might be more appropriate when emphasizing exceptional effort or willingness.

Is "obliging enough" formal or informal?

"Obliging enough" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it is more common in written communication and professional environments.