sufficient alternative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient alternative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing options or substitutes that adequately meet a certain requirement or need. Example: "In this case, we need to find a sufficient alternative to the current method to ensure efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Federal courts have sufficient alternative funds to run until Thursday, and possibly Friday.

The Guardian

From an entry on the courts: Federal courts have sufficient alternative funds to run until Thursday, and possibly Friday.

The Guardian

Highbar is hoping a sleek penthouse lounge one level below the rooftop, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Eighth Avenue, will provide a sufficient alternative to the roof deck's Ocean Drive feel.

The New York Times

If the government concludes that there are not sufficient alternative sources of energy to make up for the loss of nuclear power, three of the newest nuclear plants will be allowed to remain open until 2022.

The New York Times

Industry officials say ship owners who can still legally trade with Iran will be hard-pressed to find sufficient alternative insurance, which is also likely to be less comprehensive.

The New York Times

The EU also looked at whether News Corp could charge Sky's broadcasting competitors artificially high rates to advertise in its newspapers, but concluded: "There are sufficient alternative opportunities to advertise with other print media [and] in any event, News Corp's refusal would not have a significant impact on subscription rates in the pay-TV market".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"In many cases, children are waiting in detention because there are not sufficient alternatives," said Mark Manly, a UNHCR representative in Mexico City.

The Guardian

"The ACCC considers the other free-to-air television networks, pay television providers and on-line service providers will continue to have sufficient alternatives to allow them to obtain content that is attractive to their viewers," ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.

The Guardian

The administration would "seek to preserve" current policy, he said, since, in his view, governments have sufficient alternatives to capital controls to deal with volatility.

Huffington Post

Globally, we need to stop people from cutting down forests and make a switch from non eco-friendly methods to more environmentally sufficient alternatives such as solar power energy and electric fuels.

Huffington Post

There are after all sufficient alternatives to them.

EU Parlament

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficient alternative", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria for sufficiency. This clarifies what standards the alternative must meet.

Common error

Avoid presenting an alternative as a "sufficient alternative" without adequate evidence or justification. Ensure there's a factual basis for claiming it meets the necessary requirements.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient alternative" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where 'sufficient' modifies 'alternative'. It describes a substitute that adequately meets the requirements or needs in a given situation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficient alternative" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes a substitute or option that adequately meets specific requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in a variety of contexts. Analysis of example sources reveals its prevalence in "News & Media", "Science", and "Formal & Business" settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the criteria for sufficiency are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "adequate substitute" or "acceptable option" exist, "sufficient alternative" implies a robust and complete solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate substitute

Emphasizes the substitutability and suitability of the replacement.

acceptable option

Focuses on the acceptability and feasibility of the choice.

viable replacement

Highlights the practicality and workability of the substitute.

suitable substitute

Stresses the appropriateness and fitness of the replacement.

satisfactory substitute

Indicates that the replacement meets the required standards.

good enough replacement

Implies that the replacement is adequate, even if not ideal.

serviceable substitute

Emphasizes the functionality and usability of the substitute.

reasonable alternative

Suggests that the alternative is logical and justifiable.

workable alternative

Focuses on the practical feasibility of the option.

passable substitute

Indicates that the substitute is barely adequate but still acceptable.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficient alternative" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficient alternative" to describe something that adequately serves as a substitute. For example: "The study aimed to determine if the new drug was a "sufficient alternative" to the existing treatment".

What are some alternatives to "sufficient alternative"?

Alternatives include phrases like "adequate substitute", "acceptable option", or "viable replacement". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "sufficient alternative" a formal or informal phrase?

"Sufficient alternative" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is determined more by the surrounding language and tone rather than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "sufficient alternative" and "adequate alternative"?

While similar, "adequate alternative" may imply a slightly lower threshold of acceptability compared to "sufficient alternative". "Sufficient" often suggests a more complete or robust solution.