suffice for the

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffice for the" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something is adequate or sufficient for a particular purpose or requirement. Example: "The resources we have should suffice for the project we are undertaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That will not suffice for the 60-year-old at this stage.

The Guardian - Sport

One will probably suffice for the table: rabbits in Germany, it would appear, have enormous livers.

The New York Times - Travel

Tens of thousands of new pipelines have tapped into water supplies that barely suffice for the citizens already there.

The Guardian

This is my medicine, and nothing less will suffice for the people, for the women, for the children of Congo.

The Guardian - Opinion

While there are no field guides to dragonflies, the butterfly atlas will have to suffice for the present.

The New York Times

The alliances and coalitions America built in the Cold War no longer suffice for the tasks ahead".

The Economist

Milquetoast sound bites do not suffice for the kind of national media attention his campaign thrives on.

The New York Times

Recently, scholars have realized that the vocabulary generally used to describe symphonic structures — sonata form, theme and variations, and so forth — does not suffice for the later Sibelius.

The New Yorker

But they do not suffice for the oldest task in human history: to live on a piece of land without spoiling it".

The New York Times - Books

As it is, a win should suffice for the French, unless Ireland overcome England by more than 28 points at Twickenham.

The Guardian - Sport

At that point, he said, it would probably suffice for the United States to intervene only sporadically, in order to contain outbreaks of violence.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suffice for the", ensure that the context clearly defines what the subject is sufficient for. Ambiguity can weaken the sentence's impact. For example, instead of saying "This will suffice for the project", specify what aspect of the project it covers: "This budget will suffice for the initial research phase of the project."

Common error

While "suffice for the" is grammatically sound, it leans towards formal language. Avoid using it in casual conversation or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "be enough for the" or "do the trick" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffice for the" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something is adequate or enough to meet a specific requirement or purpose. Ludwig examples show it's used to express that available resources, data, or actions are sufficient for a particular goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffice for the" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something is adequate or enough for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, although more prevalent in formal writing such as scientific and news articles. While alternatives like "be enough for the" or "be adequate for" exist, "suffice for the" maintains a level of formality and precision suitable for professional and academic communication. Remember to consider the audience and context to ensure that the tone is appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be adequate for

Replaces "suffice" with a more common synonym, focusing on the level of acceptability.

be enough for

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same concept of meeting a need.

be sufficient for

Employs a slightly more formal term, "sufficient", to indicate adequacy.

meet the needs of

Shifts the focus to satisfying specific requirements rather than just being adequate.

satisfy the requirements of

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing the fulfillment of necessary conditions.

be capable of handling

Indicates the capacity to manage or deal with a particular situation or task.

be up to the task

Expresses capability and readiness to perform a specific job or duty.

prove adequate for

Highlights the demonstration or validation of being sufficient.

do the trick for

Uses a more colloquial expression to suggest that something will effectively solve a problem.

fill the bill for

Employs an idiomatic phrase to convey that something is suitable or appropriate for a particular purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "suffice for the" in a sentence?

The phrase "suffice for the" indicates that something is adequate or enough to meet a specific need or requirement. For instance, "The available data should suffice for the initial analysis." Using simpler words like "be enough for the" could also work.

What are some alternatives to "suffice for the"?

You can replace "suffice for the" with alternatives such as "be adequate for", "be sufficient for", or "meet the needs of", depending on the context. These alternatives provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

Is it better to say "suffice for the" or "be enough for the"?

Both "suffice for the" and "be enough for the" are correct, but "suffice for the" is more formal. The best choice depends on the tone and audience of your writing. In formal contexts, "suffice for the" may be preferred, while "be enough for the" is suitable for most general situations.

What does "suffice for the" imply in a sentence?

When you use "suffice for the", you're implying that something is not just adequate, but meets the minimum necessary standard or requirement. It suggests that nothing more is needed for that particular purpose. It often carries a nuance of efficiency or economy, implying that resources are just enough.