sufficient for the purpose

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient for the purpose" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something is enough or satisfactory to achieve a specific goal or purpose. Example: "The new budget proposal was deemed sufficient for the purpose of reducing company expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

not sufficient for the purpose.

The Guardian - Books

It did not amount to a discharge of the debt unless the property ceded was sufficient for the purpose, but it secured the debtor from personal arrest.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The results show that the LOL model is sufficient for the purpose of reservoir characterization during UBD operations.

Journal of Process Control

In all tested conditions of deposition coatings hardens was sufficient for the purpose of PEEK implants modification.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

They fail to provide a complete explanation that always covers their use, instead they provide an operational definition sufficient for the purpose of explaining the context on hand.

Complex & Intelligent Systems

The error committed by using this approach is less than half of the increment used, i.e., Δγ/2, which is more than sufficient for the purpose.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Our argument is that indicating Mark Littlewood's status as a smoker, and the 'free-market' leanings of his thinktank, would have been sufficient for the purposes of this piece to allow audiences to judge his status.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that is quite sufficient for the purposes of the identity claim.

SEP

And while intuitive ideas are sufficient for the purposes of everyday life, scientific inquiry naturally demands more rigorous methods for capturing and expressing ideas.

SEP

Knowledge of stereotypes is necessary to be regarded as a competent speaker, and one surmises it can also be considered sufficient for the purposes of ordinary communication.

SEP

Previous studies have recommended that sample sizes between 24 and 50 are sufficient for the purposes of a pilot trial (Julious 2005; Sim and Lewis 2012).

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficient for the purpose", ensure that the context clearly defines what the purpose is. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficient for the purpose" when something is more than adequate. Reserve it for situations where it just meets the minimum requirements to avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient for the purpose" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (often implied), indicating that something is adequate or meets the necessary requirements for a specific aim. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a common expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sufficient for the purpose" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate that something meets the necessary requirements to achieve a specific aim. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correctly used in written English. It's frequently found in scientific and technical contexts, as well as news media, highlighting its broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the intended purpose is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives such as "adequate for the objective" or "enough to achieve the goal" exist, the original phrase provides a clear and concise way to express sufficiency for a given purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate for the objective

Replaces "purpose" with "objective", emphasizing a specific goal.

enough to achieve the goal

Simplifies the wording while retaining the core meaning of suitability.

suitable for the intention

Substitutes "purpose" with "intention", focusing on the planned aim.

appropriate for the task

Replaces "purpose" with "task", shifting the focus to a specific duty.

fitting for the aim

Uses "fitting" instead of "sufficient", suggesting a good match for the desired outcome.

capable of fulfilling the need

Focuses on meeting a requirement, rather than achieving a general purpose.

serves the required function

Emphasizes the functionality and its suitability for a specific need.

meets the necessary requirements

Highlights that all essential criteria are satisfied.

effective for the assigned duty

Implies that something not only meets the expectations but also provides the expected effect for a certain task.

good enough for the occasion

Informal alternative indicating acceptability within a specific context.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficient for the purpose" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficient for the purpose" to indicate that something is adequate or enough to achieve a specific goal. For example, "The allocated budget was "adequate for the objective" of the project".

What are some alternatives to saying "sufficient for the purpose"?

Alternatives include "enough to achieve the goal", "appropriate for the task", or "serves the required function", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "adequate for the purpose" or "sufficient for the purpose"?

Both "adequate for the purpose" and "sufficient for the purpose" are correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Sufficient" implies just enough, while "adequate" can suggest a slightly higher degree of suitability.

When is something considered "sufficient for the purpose"?

Something is considered "sufficient for the purpose" when it meets the minimum requirements or criteria needed to achieve a particular objective or fulfill a specific need. It implies that no more is required.