powerful enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'powerful enough' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something or someone that has a high degree of power. For example, you could say, "He had a powerful enough voice to reach the back row of the crowd."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

Science & Research

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Make sure that your power supply is powerful enough to handle all of your components.

WikiHow

This can even be powerful enough to power a small motor or turn a pinwheel.

WikiHow

The virus power pack isn't yet powerful enough to run your cell phone or iPod.

Science Magazine

In other words, anything powerful enough to help also has the power to harm.

The Economist

We are powerful enough.

Independent

That, Akee said, is powerful enough itself.

Independent

"Now maybe it wasn't powerful enough.

The New York Times - Arts

"He's powerful enough," Pope said.

The New York Times - Sports

"To me that was powerful enough".

The New York Times - Arts

But the trusty peppermint wasn't powerful enough.

The New Yorker

What he did say was powerful enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "powerful enough" to clearly indicate that something possesses the necessary strength or ability for a specific purpose. For example, "The engine is powerful enough to climb steep hills."

Common error

Avoid using "powerful enough" when a simpler term like "strong" or "capable" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily emphatic or hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powerful enough" typically functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes a quality of having sufficient power or capability to meet a certain requirement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science & Research

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "powerful enough" is grammatically correct and demonstrates widespread usage across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications, according to Ludwig. Functioning as an adjective phrase, it serves to communicate that something possesses the required strength or capability for a specific purpose. While generally neutral in register, its formality can be influenced by the surrounding vocabulary. Considering this comprehensive analysis, "powerful enough" stands as a versatile and effective expression for conveying sufficiency of power.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong enough

Similar to "powerful enough", but with a more general emphasis on physical or metaphorical strength.

effective enough

Focuses on the ability to produce the intended result, suggesting a practical level of success.

capable enough

Highlights the ability to perform a specific task or function, suggesting competence.

adequately strong

Focuses on meeting a minimum requirement of strength, suggesting a basic level of capability.

sufficiently robust

Emphasizes the durability and resilience of something, indicating its ability to withstand stress or challenges.

sufficiently potent

Emphasizes the strength or effectiveness of something, highlighting its ability to produce a desired result.

competent enough

Highlights the proficiency and skill required to handle a task effectively.

potent to

Implies a capacity or ability to achieve a particular outcome or effect.

up to the task

Suggests that someone or something is prepared and ready to handle a challenge.

able to

Indicates a basic capacity or possibility to perform an action, with a more simple connotation.

FAQs

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

You can use "powerful enough" to describe something that possesses the required strength or capability for a specific task. For instance, "The computer is "powerful enough" to run the latest software".

What are some alternatives to "powerful enough"?

Alternatives include "strong enough", "capable enough", or "sufficiently potent", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "powerful enough" formal or informal?

"Powerful enough" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "sufficiently robust" or "adequately strong".

What's the difference between "powerful enough" and "strong enough"?

While similar, "powerful enough" often implies a greater degree of force or capability compared to "strong enough". "Powerful enough" might be used for complex tasks, whereas "strong enough" can apply to more basic needs.