smart enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

"smart enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone has enough intelligence, knowledge, or experience to do something. For example, "He was smart enough to figure out the answer to the difficult question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Cruz is smart enough to know this.

The New Yorker

"They are smart enough to adapt.

The New Yorker

She's smart enough to know.

The New York Times - Science

"He's smart enough to do it.

The Guardian - Sport

He is clearly smart enough to understand.

The Guardian - Film

I wasn't smart enough to get that".

The Guardian

AIPAC is smart enough to penetrate any sort of circumlocutions".

The New Yorker

A lot of them are smart enough to seek help.

The New York Times - Sports

The human race was smart enough to build these bombs.

The New York Times - Books

I'm not smart enough to do that kind of multitasking.

The New York Times

I'm not smart enough to be an architect.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "smart enough to" to express a realistic assessment of someone's capabilities, avoiding hyperbole or underestimation. The phrase should accurately reflect the individual's competence in a specific area.

Common error

Avoid using "smart enough to" without clearly specifying the object or task related to the intelligence. For example, instead of saying "He's smart enough", specify "He's "smart enough to understand" complex concepts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "smart enough to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, indicating that the subject possesses the necessary intelligence or cognitive ability to perform a specific action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used to express someone's capability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smart enough to" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that someone has sufficient intelligence or capability to perform a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in a wide variety of contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's important to ensure clarity by specifying the action or goal related to the subject's intelligence. When aiming for a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "sufficiently intelligent to" or "capable enough to". The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, highlighting its prevalence in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clever enough to

This alternative highlights ingenuity and quick-wittedness.

capable enough to

This alternative focuses on the capability and competence to perform an action.

competent enough to

Focuses on the ability to effectively handle a task or situation.

sufficiently intelligent to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the required level of intelligence.

bright enough to

A more general term for intelligence, suitable for various contexts.

sharp enough to

Emphasizes quick understanding and perception.

astute enough to

This alternative suggests shrewdness and cleverness in understanding a situation.

wise enough to

This alternative emphasizes wisdom and good judgment in making decisions.

knowledgeable enough to

This emphasizes the possession of sufficient knowledge or information.

ingenious enough to

Highlights creativity and inventiveness in finding solutions.

FAQs

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

Use "smart enough to" to indicate that someone possesses the required intelligence or capability to perform a specific action. For example, "She is "smart enough to solve" that problem".

What are some alternatives to "smart enough to"?

You can use alternatives like "clever enough to", "capable enough to", or "intelligent enough to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "smart enough to" or "intelligent enough to"?

Both "smart enough to" and "intelligent enough to" are correct and generally interchangeable. "Smart" is often perceived as more informal, while "intelligent" carries a more formal tone.

Can "smart enough to" be used in formal writing?

While "smart enough to" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "sufficiently intelligent to" or "capable enough to" in highly formal contexts.