suffice to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suffice to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is enough or adequate for a particular purpose. Example: "It will suffice to say that we have made significant progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Suffice to say he does).

The New York Times

Suffice to say it didn't end well.

The New York Times

Suffice to say, it is extremely comprehensive.

The Guardian - Business

Suffice to say, Belinda Blinked has sex.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Suffice to say: it doesn't work.

The Guardian - Film

Suffice to say, it was real bad.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Their mothers, suffice to say, were defamed.

The New York Times

Anyway, suffice to say, it kicked off.

The Guardian - Music

Suffice to say, Kilroy-Silk is not.

The Guardian

Suffice to say, that probably didn't help.

The Guardian

Design did not suffice to conquer time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "suffice to" to introduce a conclusion or summary when you want to convey that further elaboration is unnecessary.

Common error

Avoid using "suffice to" in informal contexts. Alternatives like "enough to" or "adequate to" may be more appropriate for casual communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suffice to" primarily functions as an infinitive verb phrase. It's used to express that something is adequate or enough to achieve a particular purpose. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showing the phrase introduces a summary or conclusion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "suffice to" is a versatile infinitive verb phrase used to indicate adequacy or sufficiency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it enjoys very common usage across diverse contexts, especially in news, media, and scientific domains. While generally neutral to formal, it's best to reserve its use for contexts where a degree of formality is acceptable. Alternatives like "be enough to" and "be adequate to" can be used in more casual settings. When using "suffice to", aim to streamline communication by conveying that no further elaboration is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be enough to

Emphasizes adequacy with a more direct and common expression.

be sufficient to

A more formal synonym, highlighting the adequacy for a specific requirement.

be adequate to

Indicates a level of acceptability rather than superiority.

prove adequate for

Focuses on the demonstration of adequacy in a specific situation.

serve to

Implies functionality and purpose in achieving a specific result.

do the trick

An informal idiom suggesting a simple solution to a problem.

fill the bill

Suggests meeting requirements or fulfilling expectations.

be capable of

Focuses on the inherent ability to perform a task adequately.

meet the needs of

Addresses the satisfaction of specific needs or requirements.

answer the purpose

Highlights the suitability for a particular aim or intention.

FAQs

How can I use "suffice to" in a sentence?

The phrase "suffice to" is used to indicate that something is adequate or enough for a particular purpose. For example, "It will "be enough to" say that we have made significant progress on the project".

What phrases can I use instead of "suffice to"?

You can use alternatives like ""be enough to"", "be sufficient to", or "be adequate to" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "suffice to say" or "sufficient to say"?

Both "suffice to say" and "sufficient to say" are grammatically correct, but "suffice to say" is more commonly used and idiomatic. The choice often depends on personal preference and the specific context.

What's the difference between "suffice to" and "adequate to"?

"Suffice to" emphasizes that something is enough or meets a requirement, while "adequate to" suggests that something is just satisfactory but not necessarily exceptional. The nuance depends on the specific context.