seem to be enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'seem to be enough' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that appears to be sufficient. For example, 'The six chairs seem to be enough for the meeting'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Beauty didn't seem to be enough.

The New Yorker

Fairness alone didn't seem to be enough.

The New Yorker

But it doesn't seem to be enough.

The Washington Post

That doesn't seem to be enough.

The New Yorker

There didn't seem to be enough planets.

The New York Times

Pellegrino government would hardly seem to be enough.

The New York Times

But that alone doesn't seem to be enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

For once, writing or reporting didn't seem to be enough.

The Guardian

In most regions of the grain interior, three slip systems seem to be enough.

Materials Science and Engineering: A

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Simply being female seems to be enough.

Independent

That seems to be enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "seem to be enough" when you want to express a subjective assessment of sufficiency, rather than a definitive statement. For example, "While the initial investment may not be high, it might "seem to be enough" to start the project."

Common error

Avoid using "seem to be enough" when you need to convey absolute certainty or a guaranteed outcome. In situations requiring precision, opt for stronger, more definitive language like "is sufficient" or "is adequate."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seem to be enough" primarily functions as a qualifier, expressing a subjective assessment about the sufficiency of something. It indicates that, based on available information or initial impressions, something appears to meet the required needs or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seem to be enough" is a versatile phrase used to express a subjective assessment of adequacy or sufficiency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While it conveys a sense of initial satisfaction, it also suggests a degree of tentativeness, inviting further scrutiny. Alternatives such as "appear to suffice" or "look to be adequate" offer subtle variations in formality and emphasis. When using the phrase, consider the context and ensure it aligns with the intended level of certainty, avoiding overstatements in situations requiring precise assurance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appear to be sufficient

Substitutes "enough" with "sufficient", making the phrase more formal and precise.

appear to suffice

Replaces "seem" with "appear" and "be enough" with "suffice", creating a more formal tone.

look to be adequate

Replaces "seem" with "look" and "enough" with "adequate", resulting in a slightly less formal and more observational tone.

prove to be adequate

Emphasizes the eventual adequacy of something, rather than the initial impression.

turn out to be sufficient

Highlights that the sufficiency is revealed over time or after a certain point.

be deemed adequate

Shifts the focus to a judgment of adequacy made by an external authority.

be considered sufficient

Similar to "be deemed adequate", but emphasizes a broader consensus.

be regarded as enough

Highlights the opinion or perspective of an observer.

measure up

A more concise and informal way of saying something meets the required standard or quantity.

pass muster

An idiomatic expression indicating that something has been approved or found acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "seem to be enough" in a sentence?

Use "seem to be enough" to express a judgment about adequacy or sufficiency that is based on appearance or initial assessment. For example, "The budget allocated for the project might "appear to be sufficient", but further analysis is needed".

What are some alternatives to "seem to be enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "appear to suffice", "look to be adequate", or "be deemed adequate".

Is it correct to say "seems to be enough" instead of "seem to be enough"?

Yes, "seems to be enough" is correct when referring to a singular subject, while "seem to be enough" is used for plural subjects or in more general statements. For instance, "The information seems to be enough for now", versus "The resources "seem to be enough" for the initial phase".

What's the difference between "appear to be enough" and "seem to be enough"?

While both phrases convey a sense of perceived sufficiency, "appear to be enough" often suggests a more superficial assessment, while ""seem to be enough"" implies a slightly deeper consideration. They are often interchangeable, but the nuance can subtly shift the meaning.