still not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still not enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that there is still a gap between what is needed or desired and what is currently available. For example, "Despite our best efforts, the donations we have collected are still not enough for the relief effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's still not enough.

Cornell University

This was still not enough.

The Economist

That is still not enough.

The New York Times

Still not enough for him.

The New York Times - Sports

They are still not enough.

The New York Times

It's still not enough.

The Washington Post

But, still not enough.

The New York Times

Yet this is still not enough.

Children and Youth Services Review

But it is still not enough.

The Economist

But it was still not enough.

The New York Times

He made 300; still not enough.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "still not enough" to express that a certain action or measure hasn't reached the required level or expectation, even after attempts to improve it. This phrase is effective in highlighting ongoing needs or shortcomings.

Common error

Avoid using "still not enough" when making initial assessments. This phrase implies prior effort or expectation. Instead, use alternatives like 'insufficient' or 'inadequate' if no previous attempts have been made.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still not enough" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that a certain state or action does not reach a satisfactory level, even after a previous attempt to improve it. Ludwig AI confirms its common use in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

12%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "still not enough" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something remains insufficient despite prior efforts. Ludwig AI highlights its wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, avoid using it in initial assessments; instead, reserve it for situations where previous attempts have proven inadequate. Consider alternatives like "yet insufficient" or "remains insufficient" for more formal tones. Its frequent use in authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and appropriateness in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still falls short

Indicates that something doesn't reach the desired level or standard.

remains insufficient

Emphasizes the continuing state of insufficiency.

not quite sufficient

Suggests a near-sufficiency, but ultimately lacking.

yet insufficient

Focuses on the lack of sufficiency even after a certain point or action.

insufficient as of now

Specifies that the insufficiency is current.

nevertheless inadequate

Highlights the inadequacy despite previous efforts or conditions.

not satisfactory yet

Highlights that the current state is not meeting the required satisfaction level.

fails to measure up

Highlights the failure to meet a certain standard or expectation.

not up to par

Indicates that something is below the expected standard or norm.

lacking what's needed

Focuses on the absence of essential requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "still not enough" in a sentence?

You can use "still not enough" to express that something remains insufficient despite previous efforts or additions. For example, "Even after doubling our efforts, the resources were "still not enough" to complete the project".

What's a more formal way to say "still not enough"?

In more formal contexts, you could use alternatives such as "yet insufficient", "nevertheless inadequate", or "remains insufficient".

What does "still not enough" imply?

"Still not enough" implies that there was an expectation or attempt to reach a certain level or quantity, but the effort did not fully succeed. It highlights a continuing need or deficiency.

Is it redundant to use "still" with "not enough"?

While "not enough" alone can convey insufficiency, adding "still" emphasizes that the insufficiency persists despite prior conditions or actions, adding a layer of meaning about ongoing inadequacy.