probably enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "probably enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a level of certainty that something meets a requirement or sufficiency, but with some doubt. Example: "I think we have probably enough resources to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's probably enough for today.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's probably enough of that.

Yale University

C.L.: That's probably enough.

The New Yorker

That's probably enough water references for now.

The Guardian - Music

That's probably enough of that for now.

The Guardian

"That's probably enough times," says Aaron, patiently.

The Guardian - Travel

I think that's probably enough for iterative deletion.

Yale University

"I think four Olympics is probably enough," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"A very small amount is probably enough," Dr. Villarreal said.

The New York Times

Two historic cities in one morning is probably enough.

Independent

That was probably enough for the first day.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to imply a stronger level of certainty you can use the word "certainly" or "definitely" instead of "probably", but remember to use "probably enough" if there is still a level of uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "probably enough" when you are absolutely certain that something is sufficient. In such cases, a more definitive phrase like "certainly enough" or "definitely enough" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "probably enough" functions as a qualifier, expressing a degree of sufficiency with a hint of uncertainty. As shown in Ludwig, it modifies adjectives or nouns to indicate that something likely meets a requirement but isn't guaranteed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "probably enough" is a versatile phrase used to express a qualified assessment of sufficiency. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and academic contexts. While conveying a sense of adequacy, it acknowledges a degree of uncertainty. To ensure clarity, writers should consider the context and choose alternatives like "likely sufficient" or "almost adequate" when greater precision is needed. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase, highlighting its widespread acceptance across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely sufficient

Replaces "probably" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing sufficiency.

more than likely adequate

Adds emphasis to the likelihood of being adequate.

presumably sufficient

Indicates that the sufficiency is based on assumption or expectation.

quite sufficient

Implies a slightly higher degree of sufficiency than "probably enough".

reasonably adequate

Suggests the sufficiency is adequate to a fair extent.

almost adequate

Highlights the marginal nature of the sufficiency, suggesting it's just meeting the requirement.

apt to be sufficient

Uses "apt to be" to express a tendency toward sufficiency.

may well be enough

Uses "may well be" to introduce a possibility or likelihood.

conceivably adequate

Suggests the sufficiency is possible but not certain.

possibly sufficient

Emphasizes the possibility that something meets a requirement.

FAQs

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

You can use "probably enough" to express a degree of certainty that something meets a requirement or is sufficient, but with some element of doubt or approximation. For example: "I think we have "probably enough" resources to complete the project on time".

What are some alternatives to saying "probably enough"?

You can use alternatives like "likely sufficient", "almost adequate", or "presumably sufficient" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it more appropriate to use "certainly enough" instead of "probably enough"?

"Certainly enough" should be used when you have a high degree of confidence that something is sufficient, while ""probably enough"" is used when you are less certain and want to express a qualified assessment.

Is it wrong to use "probably enough" in formal writing?

While ""probably enough"" is acceptable in formal writing, consider stronger or more precise alternatives like "likely sufficient" if you want to convey greater confidence or authority.