substantial enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"substantial enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something in terms of its size, extent, or degree. For example, "He has enough money to make a substantial enough investment in the stock market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It wasn't substantial enough," Mr. Marcic said.

The New York Times

Peaches are substantial enough to handle flame.

The Washington Post

None are substantial enough for turkey.

The New York Times - Food

Pastas are easily substantial enough to be main courses.

The New York Times

Some analysts do not think the closings are substantial enough.

The New York Times

But they are substantial enough to generate profit.

The New York Times

Excellent for kids, but not quite substantial enough for adults.

Independent

The pizzas, substantial enough to be shared by four, are familiar -- Margherita, Milanese, wild mushroom.

The New York Times

But none of this is ultimately substantial enough to hold our attention.

The Guardian

They are big and substantial enough that an order of five ($3.75) makes a light lunch.

The New York Times - Food

But, although a very entertaining 45 minutes, it's not substantial enough to seem essential.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "substantial enough" when you want to convey that something is not just adequate, but noticeably so. It implies that the subject is sufficiently large, important, or effective for a particular purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "substantial enough" in very informal or casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "big enough" or "good enough" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "substantial enough" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree to which something meets or exceeds a required threshold. It indicates that something is not just adequate but also carries a certain weight or significance. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correct usage in a wide variety of sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "substantial enough" is a commonly used phrase that indicates something is more than merely adequate, carrying a significant degree of sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing most frequently in news, science, and business contexts. While appropriate for neutral to formal settings, it might be less suitable for casual conversation. Related alternatives include "sufficiently significant" and "adequately sized", each with slightly different nuances. The phrase serves to convey that something not only meets a requirement but does so in a noteworthy way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently significant

Emphasizes the degree of importance or impact.

materially relevant

Focuses on how important it is within the current context.

markedly significant

Similar to sufficiently significant, but implies a clear and noticeable effect.

substantially fulfills

Similar to materially relevant, but more focused on the extent to which requirements have been met.

adequately sized

Focuses on the physical dimensions or capacity.

amply adequate

Emphasizes that it is more than enough.

sufficiently robust

Highlights strength, durability, or effectiveness.

considerably large

Highlights the largeness or extent of something.

comfortably meets

Indicates that it exceeds the requirements by a safe margin.

reasonably good

Implies a satisfactory but not necessarily exceptional quality or quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "substantial enough" to describe something that is of sufficient size, amount, or importance to achieve a particular purpose. For instance, "The grant was "large enough" to fund the entire project" or "The evidence was "convincing enough" to secure a conviction".

What are some alternatives to "substantial enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "significant enough", "sufficient enough", "large enough", or "considerable enough".

Is "substantial enough" formal or informal?

"Substantial enough" leans towards the formal side but is acceptable in neutral contexts. In very casual settings, consider using simpler terms.

How does "substantial enough" differ from "adequate"?

"Substantial enough" implies something is more than merely adequate; it suggests a noticeable or significant degree of sufficiency. "Adequate" simply means it meets the minimum requirement.