sufficient force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the adequacy or effectiveness of a force, whether physical, emotional, or metaphorical. Example: "The team applied sufficient force to lift the heavy object without any risk of injury."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The next U.N. peacekeeping mission must have legal authority to use sufficient force to protect civilians.

The New York Times

And that we have sufficient force to deal with the security situation".

The New York Times

(AQA) Update: "Bullets fired into the air fall back down with sufficient force to cause injury and death.

The Guardian

Etzebeth, back in the enforcer role to which he was born, cleared out the first ruck with sufficient force to coax Filo Paulo off his feet.

The Guardian - Sport

Heading the ball is not a primary cause, studies have determined, because the impact is not of sufficient force to send the brain crashing into the skull.

The New York Times - Sports

"There is absolutely sufficient force postured on the eastern border of Ukraine to run to Trans-Dniester if the decision was made to do that.

The Guardian

I valued Colin's opinion that when force was needed we'd use sufficient force to keep our casualties to a bare minimum...

The New York Times - Magazine

4Chan's partisans had retaliated, at first unsuccessfully and then, after Gawker taunted them, with sufficient force to bring Denton's gang offline.

The New Yorker

Accountability for crimes against humanity is imperative, as is the deployment of sufficient force to ensure disarmament and arrangements to deliver emergency aid.

The New York Times

Hence, both the idea of a legal profession and the method of its operation retained sufficient force to offset Germanic and feudal objections to legal representation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Even where the claims touch and concern the territory of the United States, they must do so with sufficient force to displace the presumption against extraterritorial application".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing military strategy or peacekeeping operations, use "sufficient force" to convey the idea that enough resources are available to achieve the objective.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficient force" when a simpler term like "enough" or "adequate" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or grandiose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient force" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "sufficient" is an adjective modifying the noun "force". It indicates that there is an adequate amount of power or strength available. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts, from military to scientific applications.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

37%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Huffington Post

7%

Forbes

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sufficient force" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that means adequate power or strength. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility across various fields such as news, science, and encyclopedias. It typically serves the purpose of conveying that enough power is available to achieve a desired outcome or handle a particular situation. While its register leans towards neutral to professional, it is generally suitable for formal discussions where precision and impact are important. The most common contexts for its use are News & Media and Science. When writing, avoid overusing the phrase in abstract contexts, and consider using simpler alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate power

Replaces "force" with "power", focusing on the capacity to perform an action.

ample strength

Substitutes "sufficient" with "ample" and "force" with "strength", suggesting a more than adequate level.

enough strength

Uses simpler vocabulary while conveying a similar meaning of adequate physical power.

requisite power

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate the necessary level of power.

necessary strength

Indicates that the strength is not just adequate, but essential.

adequate influence

Shifts the focus from physical power to the capacity to affect someone or something.

ample leverage

Suggests a strategic advantage or means to achieve a desired outcome.

requisite authority

Focuses on having the necessary power to enforce rules or decisions.

decisive power

Emphasizes that the level of power is enough to bring about a definite result.

considerable impact

Shifts from force to the effect or influence exerted.

FAQs

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

Use "sufficient force" to describe a situation where the amount of power, strength, or resources is adequate to achieve a particular goal or handle a specific situation. For example, "The peacekeeping mission required "sufficient force" to maintain order".

What are some alternatives to "sufficient force"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "adequate power", "ample strength", or "requisite authority".

Is it better to use "adequate force" or "sufficient force"?

"Adequate force" and "sufficient force" are largely interchangeable, but "sufficient force" may carry a slightly stronger connotation, suggesting a more decisive or impactful level of power. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can "sufficient force" apply to non-physical contexts?

Yes, while often used in physical contexts, "sufficient force" can also apply to non-physical situations. For example, "The argument had "sufficient force" to change his mind", indicating the argument was compelling enough to cause a change in opinion.