sufficient for now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient for now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that something meets the current needs or requirements but may not be adequate in the long term. Example: "This solution is sufficient for now, but we may need to revisit it later."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

He felt that the public statement removing their support would be sufficient for now, though further steps would be considered.

TechCrunch

The 25 million aid package is sufficient for now, but will need to be increased at a later date.

EU Parlament

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That is sufficient relief for now.

The New York Times

While last week coalition members suggested that choosing a prime minister was important for persuading the United States to offer recognition, American officials said the White House had decided that the opposition had made sufficient progress for now.

The New York Times

You can use your keyboard or the wiimote to type stuff in, which has been sufficient for years now.

TechCrunch

That was sufficient for Piasecki for now.

The New Yorker

As eager as TransCanada is to build the new pipeline, there is sufficient pipeline capacity for now to carry current production of crude from the Alberta oil sands to American refineries.

The New York Times

In the six areas in which the United Nations is most engaged — governance, rule of law and human rights; livelihoods; education and culture; health; social protection; and infrastructure and water — it said that the authority's functions were "now sufficient for a functioning government of state".

The New York Times

"The president believes that the current Authorization for Use of Military Force is sufficient for our needs right now," he said.

Vice

The UN report indicated that "In six areas where the UN is most engaged, government operations are now sufficient for a functioning government of a (Palestinian) state".

Huffington Post

But it is now sufficient for researchers.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sufficient for now" when acknowledging that a current solution may not be ideal in the long run. This sets realistic expectations and implies a potential need for future adjustments.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficient for now" when a solution is genuinely meant to be permanent. Doing so can undermine confidence in the chosen approach and suggest a lack of commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient for now" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates that something meets the requirements or is adequate at the present time but implies that this may not be the case in the future. The examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from aid packages to pipeline capacity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sufficient for now" is a useful qualifier that indicates something meets current needs but may not be adequate in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and formal business. While not exceedingly common, its usage is appropriate when acknowledging the potential need for future adjustments. Consider using alternatives like "adequate for the moment" or "enough for the time being" to convey a similar meaning. Avoid overstating the long-term adequacy of a solution when using this phrase, as it implies a temporary measure.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate for the moment

Replaces "sufficient" with "adequate", focusing on the immediate timeframe.

enough for the time being

Uses "enough" instead of "sufficient" and specifies a temporary duration.

satisfactory for now

Substitutes "sufficient" with "satisfactory", implying a level of acceptance for the present.

acceptable at this stage

Replaces "sufficient" with "acceptable", emphasizing the current progress or phase.

serviceable for the present

Uses "serviceable" to indicate functionality and "present" to highlight the temporal aspect.

does the trick for now

An idiomatic expression meaning it fulfills the immediate need.

will suffice for the interim

Uses "suffice" as a verb and "interim" to specify the temporary period.

good enough for the short term

Emphasizes a pragmatic approach focused on immediate needs.

meeting current needs

Focuses on the fulfillment of immediate requirements.

covers us for the moment

An idiomatic alternative, implying temporary coverage or protection.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficient for now" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficient for now" to indicate that something is adequate for the present but may not be in the future. For example, "This initial investment is "sufficient for now", but we'll need more funding later."

What are some alternatives to "sufficient for now"?

Alternatives to "sufficient for now" include "adequate for the moment", "enough for the time being", or "satisfactory for now".

Is it better to say "sufficient for now" or "adequate for now"?

"Sufficient for now" and "adequate for now" are very similar. "Adequate" might imply a slightly higher level of acceptance, but the difference is minimal and they are largely interchangeable.

When should I avoid using the phrase "sufficient for now"?

Avoid using "sufficient for now" if you intend for something to be a long-term solution. The phrase implies a temporary measure and may undermine confidence if permanence is desired.