sufficed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was adequate or sufficient for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The resources provided sufficed for the project, allowing us to complete it on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With everything fresh in my mind, I avoided revision – a quick scan through my notes before the exams sufficed.

The Guardian

The contractor should never have been given access to customer records, he says; dummy data would have sufficed.

The Economist

But the 1996 reform that empowered the Trife as the final arbiter of any election is far superior to what came before, where a simple majority of the lower house of Congress sufficed to declare a vote valid.

The Economist

Neither São Paulo's international airport nor its domestic one will have train connections before the city hosts the opening game.Too much pride is at stake to hope 2013 will see a rethinkDeciding to have 12 host cities, when eight would have sufficed, means that Brazil will be lumbered with a herd of white elephants after the tournament.

The Economist

Despite calls for a boycott in the nationalist press, the chain's swift self-abasement sufficed to quell the row, perhaps because it had already proved its commitment to national integrity by marketing a "McSahara" hamburger.But other offenders have got off less lightly.

The Economist

A shorter shut-down might have sufficed; certainly the closure of Washington, DC's local airport for weeks did untold damage to US Airways, so ensuring that it was the first of the big network carriers to go into Chapter 11 bankruptcy.The greatest virtue of the rescue package was that it was done quickly.

The Economist

In any event, I would suggest that the vaccination rate that has, until recently, sufficed to keep the measles at bay, is not well described as the the result of "resorting to freedom".

The Economist

Babbage believes the Gooney Bird was one of a kind unrepeatable, because today's more competitive times demand complexity in design, where once simplicity sufficed.

The Economist

Unemployment benefits, on the rare occasions when they were provided at all, barely sufficed to satisfy their basic food and clothing needs.At the other end of the spectrum, Chinese economists reckon the country has about 3m yuan millionaires and over 1,000 yuan trillionaires.

The Economist

The days when it sufficed for corporate information-technology departments to automate back-office functions and plonk a PC on every desk (or even a BlackBerry in every hand) are over.

The Economist

In June, a phone call from Joe Biden, America's vice-president, sufficed for him to leave Edward Snowden, an ex-CIA whistleblower, at a Moscow airport instead of offering asylum.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficed", ensure the context clearly indicates what requirement or need was met. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "sufficed" can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "was enough" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "sufficed" functions as the past tense of the verb "suffice", indicating that something was adequate or met the necessary requirements. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficed" is the past tense of the verb "suffice", meaning that something was adequate or sufficient. Ludwig AI indicates that the term is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While versatile, "sufficed" is most commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and academic writing, lending itself to neutral or formal contexts. Consider simpler alternatives such as "was enough" for informal settings. Remember to use "sufficed" when you need to clearly indicate that something adequately met a specific requirement or need.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was sufficient

Replaces the verb "sufficed" with a more common adjective "sufficient" and the verb "was", maintaining a similar level of formality.

met the need

Replaces "sufficed" with a phrase focusing on the fulfillment of a specific requirement or necessity.

was adequate

Substitutes "sufficed" with "adequate", implying a satisfactory level of meeting requirements but sometimes suggesting a minimal standard.

answered the purpose

A more formal substitute that highlights the fulfillment of a specific intention or aim.

proved adequate

Replaces "sufficed" with "proved adequate", adding an element of verification or demonstration of adequacy.

served its purpose

Substitutes "sufficed" with an expression indicating that something fulfilled its intended function or goal.

was enough

A simpler and more informal substitute for "sufficed", suitable for less formal contexts.

was all that was needed

A more descriptive alternative to "sufficed", emphasizing that nothing more was necessary.

did the trick

An idiomatic expression replacing "sufficed", implying that something effectively achieved the desired result, often in a practical or problem-solving context.

filled the bill

An idiomatic replacement for "sufficed", suggesting that something was exactly right or suitable for the given situation.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficed" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficed" to indicate that something was adequate or enough for a particular purpose. For example, "A quick scan through my notes before the exams "sufficed"."

What can I say instead of "sufficed"?

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

Is "sufficed" formal or informal?

"Sufficed" tends to be more formal. In informal contexts, simpler alternatives like "was enough" may be more appropriate.

Which is correct, "sufficed" or "was sufficed"?

"Sufficed" is the correct past tense form of the verb "suffice". "Was sufficed" is grammatically incorrect in most contexts.