smart enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"smart enough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase to express that something has the required level of intelligence or skill. For example, "She is smart enough to solve the most difficult math problems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Not smart enough.

The New Yorker

Yeah, they're smart enough.

The New York Times

"People are smart enough".

The New York Times

You look smart enough.

The New York Times

"They're smart enough.

The New York Times - Tech

"I think he's smart enough.

The New York Times

"We weren't frankly smart enough".

The New York Times

It's certainly smart enough.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Am I smart enough?

The New York Times

I'm not smart enough?

The New York Times

She's smart enough to know.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smart enough" to convey a sense of adequate, but not necessarily exceptional, intelligence. It suggests a threshold has been met.

Common error

While "smart enough" is widely understood, overuse in academic or professional writing can sound informal. Substitute it with more precise or sophisticated vocabulary such as "sufficiently intelligent", "capable enough", or "adept" to better suit a formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smart enough" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject possesses the minimum level of intelligence or capability required for a particular task or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "smart enough" is a common and grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to indicate that someone or something possesses the necessary level of intelligence or capability for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the context; more formal settings may benefit from alternatives like ""intelligent enough"" or ""capable enough"". Understanding its communicative purpose and usage patterns ensures its effective application in writing and speech. Avoid overusing it in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intelligent enough

Replaces "smart" with "intelligent", a more formal synonym, while maintaining the same structure and meaning.

sufficiently intelligent

Rearranges the phrase and uses "intelligent" instead of "smart", offering a slightly more formal tone.

clever enough

Substitutes "smart" with "clever", suggesting resourcefulness or ingenuity in addition to intelligence.

bright enough

Replaces "smart" with "bright", implying quickness of understanding or wit.

astute enough

Replaces "smart" with "astute", focusing on the ability to accurately assess situations and people.

capable enough

Shifts the focus from intelligence to general ability and competence.

able to understand

Expresses the capacity for comprehension rather than innate intelligence.

has the required intelligence

Uses a more formal and descriptive structure, emphasizing the necessary level of intelligence.

possesses sufficient intellect

Employs a more sophisticated vocabulary to convey the idea of adequate mental capacity.

knows enough

Focuses on having enough knowledge or information, rather than overall intelligence.

FAQs

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

You can use "smart enough" to indicate someone or something possesses the necessary intelligence or ability for a task. For example, "She is "smart enough" to solve the problem" or "The software is "smart enough" to detect errors".

What are some alternatives to "smart enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intelligent enough", "clever enough", or "capable enough".

Is it correct to say "smarter enough" instead of "smart enough"?

While "smarter" is the comparative form of "smart", "smarter enough" is not a standard or widely accepted phrase. It's best to stick with ""smart enough"" to indicate sufficient intelligence.

How does "smart enough" differ from "very smart"?

"Smart enough" implies a minimum level of intelligence required for a specific purpose, whereas "very smart" indicates a high degree of intelligence in general. Someone who is ""smart enough"" meets a certain threshold; someone who is "very smart" exceeds it.