sufficiently

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sufficiently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been achieved to a satisfactory amount or degree. For example, "This proposal is sufficiently comprehensive to satisfy our client's requirements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Basic service, without fees, must be sufficiently degraded in order to make people want to pay to escape it.

The Economist

And the so-called innocent party may have even contributed to the event by not being sufficiently open and sympathetic to their partner's feelings.

The Guardian - Opinion

The clause is sufficiently ambiguous to leave doubts over how the stalemate will be resolved.

The Guardian - Sport

So did our reluctance, until late in the last parliament, to sufficiently illustrate that we took deficit reduction seriously.

The Guardian - Opinion

If technology has undermined the established ways in which political surveys can reach a representative mix of the citizenry, it should in time provide a sufficiently ingenious pollster with new ways to do just that.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because Mr Basinski – and we use the deferential formal term of address because his work is sufficiently serious in its execution and substantial in its weight and gravitas to warrant it – is a truly welcome discovery.

The Guardian - Music

However, in recent years, the FCO has briefed ministers to call the events a "tragedy" but to deny genocide because "the evidence is not sufficiently unequivocal" – an oxymoronic term (something is either unequivocal or it is not).

The Guardian - Books

As of a few days ago the hoardings have come down sufficiently for the public to enter this zone.

The Guardian - Arts

And a sufficiently powerful system could provide access to a vast amount of visual, spatial and other data about the outside world.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps it's his youthful manner, the way Boyle seems to fizz with energy when he speaks, dressing like a thirtysomething – and sufficiently trim to get away with it – but the word that comes to mind when meeting him is one rarely applied to a man in middle age.

The Guardian - Film

Hence, last Tuesday – as a handful of Birmingham schools were told that they did not have a sufficiently "broad and balanced curriculum" because they taught limited sex and religious education – a DfE civil servant stood in court and defended Steiner's narrow range of GCSEs before a judge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sufficiently" to add a level of formality and precision to your writing, particularly when describing the degree to which a requirement or condition is met.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficiently" in very casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "enough" or "adequately" would sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "sufficiently" functions primarily to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating the degree to which something meets a certain requirement or standard. Ludwig examples demonstrate its usage in contexts requiring precision and formality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "sufficiently" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as validated by Ludwig AI. It conveys that something is adequate or to the extent necessary for a particular purpose, commonly appearing in formal and professional contexts, including news and media. It's crucial to remember that overuse in very casual or informal context should be avoided. While alternatives like "adequately" and "enough" exist, "sufficiently" brings a level of precision and formality that may be more appropriate in certain situations. Ludwig examples show the diverse applicability of "sufficiently" in reputable sources, solidifying its place in standard English usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequately

Focuses on meeting a required standard or level.

amply

Suggests a generous or more than sufficient amount.

suitably

Emphasizes appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

enough

A more direct and commonly used synonym for indicating a necessary quantity.

satisfactorily

Highlights the fulfillment of expectations or requirements.

appropriately

Indicates something is done in a way that is suitable or fitting.

reasonably

Implies a moderate or fair degree of sufficiency.

tolerably

Suggests just enough to be acceptable, though perhaps not ideal.

acceptably

Emphasizes the meeting of a minimum standard or threshold.

passably

Indicates something is just good enough to pass or be accepted.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficiently" in a sentence?

"Sufficiently" is typically used as an adverb to modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. For example, "The data was "sufficiently detailed" to draw a conclusion" or "He studied "sufficiently hard" to pass the exam."

What words can I use instead of "sufficiently"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "adequately", "enough", or "amply" as replacements for "sufficiently".

Is it correct to say "sufficiently enough"?

No, "sufficiently enough" is generally considered redundant. "Sufficiently" already implies "enough", so using both together is unnecessary. Use either "sufficiently" or "enough", but not both.

What's the difference between "sufficiently" and "adequately"?

While both "sufficiently" and "adequately" indicate that something meets a requirement, "sufficiently" often suggests a higher degree or a more formal context. "Adequately" implies just meeting the basic requirement, whereas "sufficiently" may imply exceeding it.