realistic enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "realistic enough" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is believable or accurate in a certain context or situation. Example: The special effects in the movie were not realistic enough, making it difficult for the audience to become fully immersed in the story.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not realistic enough.

The New York Times

Is it realistic enough?

Columbia University

"I'm realistic enough not to campaign".

The New York Times

So it remains to be seen whether that was realistic enough of an experiment.

Yale University

Mr Ishiba is realistic enough to know that the LDP could not do it alone.

The Economist

It employs masks that are realistic enough to be slightly uncanny.

The New York Times

That artificial thunder was realistic enough to make all of us in the audience look upward.

The New York Times

The setting must be realistic enough to enable the student to suspend reality.

Clinical Simulation Operations, Engineering, and Management

But I'm realistic enough to welcome prudent hedging against a possible worst-case scenario.

The Washington Post

They were young and they were realistic; realistic enough to know that they belonged together.

The Guardian

Ali has a point with the knockout sequences, which are realistic enough.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "realistic enough", ensure the context clearly defines the criteria for realism. For example, "The simulation was realistic enough for training purposes" specifies the standard of realism required.

Common error

Avoid using "realistic enough" when describing something that is clearly fantastical or exaggerated. This can create a disconnect between the description and the reality, undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "realistic enough" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something possesses the quality of being realistic. As supported by Ludwig, it indicates that something meets a certain threshold of realism for a specific context or purpose.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "realistic enough" is a versatile phrase functioning as an adjectival modifier, used to assess if something meets a sufficient level of realism for a specific purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Academia. When using "realistic enough", ensure the criteria for realism are clearly defined. Alternative phrases such as "sufficiently realistic" or "believable enough" can be employed for nuanced expression. Avoid redundancy by omitting intensifiers like "very". The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for various communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently realistic

This alternative uses a more formal tone by employing the adverb "sufficiently" to modify the adjective "realistic".

acceptably realistic

This alternative implies that the level of realism meets a certain standard of acceptability.

believable enough

This alternative shifts the focus from realism to believability, suggesting something is convincing.

plausible enough

This alternative emphasizes the possibility or likelihood of something being true or valid.

convincing enough

This alternative highlights the ability to persuade someone of the realism or truth of something.

practically realistic

This alternative focuses on the practical aspects of realism, suggesting something is realistic in a practical sense.

feasibly realistic

This alternative emphasizes the feasibility of something being realistic within given constraints.

credibly realistic

This alternative suggests that the realism is presented in a way that is easy to believe.

genuinely realistic

This alternative reinforces the authenticity of the realism being described.

authentically realistic

This alternative emphasizes that the realism is true to life and not artificial.

FAQs

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

Use "realistic enough" to describe something that meets a certain threshold of realism for a particular purpose. For instance, "The prototype's design was "functional enough" and "realistic enough" for initial user testing".

What are some alternatives to "realistic enough"?

You can use alternatives such as "sufficiently realistic", "believable enough", or "plausible enough" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very realistic enough"?

Yes, using "very" with "realistic enough" can be redundant. "Realistic enough" already implies a sufficient degree of realism. Consider using alternatives like "highly realistic" or "extremely realistic" if you want to emphasize the degree of realism.

What's the difference between "realistic enough" and "completely realistic"?

"Realistic enough" suggests a level of realism that is sufficient for a given purpose or context, while "completely realistic" implies a perfect or absolute representation of reality. The former is often more practical and achievable.