ought to suffice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ought to suffice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is expected to be adequate or satisfactory for a particular purpose. Example: "This amount of information ought to suffice for your report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

That's enough to hold 2,500, 3,700 or 7,500 songs, which ought to suffice for most workouts, commutes and parties.

The New York Times - Tech

"What the judge said, what the court said in terms, was that a simple amendment to the Jordanian criminal code so as to remove an ambiguity that is in it at the moment ought to suffice to make deportation possible," he told the BBC.

Independent

Strangely, the hardest thing about a fictional artist for a director to convey is the sense of depth; it's strange because actors are themselves artists, often of great depth, so it ought to suffice for them to be, as much as possible, themselves — but that's the hardest and most elusive role to play.

The New Yorker

Some angels or seed investors may act irrationally, but if a startup can convince those holding at least a majority of the investment to amend or waive a term in the convertible note, that ought to suffice.

Forbes

That ought to suffice.

Los Angeles Times

With a warrant, authorities can search your house, and since iPhones now house our lives, a search warrant ought to suffice.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Things far above the ordinary level!" But the fact that these interesting things led Arendt to blame the victims along with the Nazis ought to have sufficed to discredit the theory in her eyes even as she wrote it — not through any obligatory political solidarity with "Jewish organizations" but through the ordinary exercise of imaginative sympathy.

The New Yorker

Things far above the ordinary level!" But the fact that these interesting things led Arendt to blame the victims along with the Nazis ought to have sufficed to discredit the theory in her eyes even as she wrote it not through any obligatory political solidarity with "Jewish organizations" but through the ordinary exercise of imaginative sympathy.

The New Yorker

That ought to do it.

Science Magazine

Miles alone used to suffice.

The New York Times

That imprecise location will have to suffice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ought to suffice" when you want to express a reasonable expectation that something will be adequate, but with a slightly more formal or traditional tone than "should be enough".

Common error

Avoid using "ought to suffice" in very informal settings or casual conversations, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "should be enough" or "will do" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ought to suffice" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing an expectation or recommendation that something will be adequate or sufficient. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ought to suffice" is a grammatically sound and useful expression that suggests something is reasonably expected to be adequate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's typically found in more formal contexts, such as news and media. While "ought to suffice" conveys a similar meaning to phrases like "should be enough", it carries a slightly more formal tone. When writing, consider your audience and the level of formality required to determine if "ought to suffice" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be adequate

Replaces "ought to" with "should", indicating a slightly weaker expectation of suitability.

should be sufficient

Synonymous replacement, offering a more formal tone by using "sufficient" instead of "suffice".

should be enough

Simplifies the phrase, making it more casual while retaining the core meaning.

is expected to be adequate

Adds a layer of anticipation and expectation to the adequacy.

is expected to be sufficient

Replaces "ought to" with a more formal expression of expectation.

should prove adequate

Adds a sense of testing or verification to the adequacy, implying a trial period.

should meet the requirements

Focuses on fulfilling specific needs or standards.

should serve the purpose

Emphasizes the functionality and intended use of something.

should get the job done

An informal and practical way of saying something will be adequate for a task.

may be adequate

Indicates a possibility of adequacy, but with less certainty than "ought to suffice".

FAQs

What does "ought to suffice" mean?

The phrase "ought to suffice" means that something is expected to be adequate or sufficient for a particular purpose or need.

How can I use "ought to suffice" in a sentence?

You can use "ought to suffice" to suggest that a certain amount, action, or quality should be enough. For example: "A simple apology ought to suffice for such a minor offense."

What can I say instead of "ought to suffice"?

You can use alternatives like "should be enough", "should be sufficient", or "is expected to be adequate" depending on the context.

Is "ought to suffice" formal or informal?

"Ought to suffice" is generally considered more formal than simpler alternatives like "should be enough". It is suitable for professional or academic writing.