sufficiently advanced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficiently advanced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has reached a level of development or sophistication that meets certain criteria or expectations. Example: "The technology is sufficiently advanced to support the new features we want to implement in our software."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," he once famously commented, and his own ideas were sufficiently advanced that they can seem magical when you read one of his stories.

Huffington Post

Mr. Clarke famously — and accurately — said that "any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic".

The New York Times

The state of the science is not sufficiently advanced and most physicians don't even want to think about the prognosis.

The New York Times - Health

But his role continued until 1985, when Judge Garrity decided that desegregation had sufficiently advanced for him to begin returning control to the School Committee.

The New York Times

British and German officials said the plot had reached the planning phase but was not sufficiently advanced to justify raising the national threat level.

The Guardian

A senior State Department official said tonight that negotiations between BP Amoco and Tyumen were sufficiently advanced that the loan guarantees should be issued.

The New York Times

The service had an airplane it had hoped to use to drop aerial bombs of water on fires, but the technology was not sufficiently advanced.

The New York Times

It is a rite of passage for any sufficiently advanced genetically modified animal: at some point scientists will insert a gene that makes you glow green.

The Guardian

For it suggested that our intelligence and imagination, our will-power and emotions have not sufficiently advanced to make proper use of democracy.

The Guardian

Not until 1852 were the computations sufficiently advanced for it to be realized that Peak XV was higher than any other mountain in the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

THE science-fiction author and technology prophet Arthur C. Clarke once said that a technology sufficiently advanced from our own would be indistinguishable from magic.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sufficiently advanced", ensure the context clearly defines what criteria constitute 'sufficient' advancement. This adds precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficiently advanced" when simpler terms like "adequate" or "developed" suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficiently advanced" typically functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase, describing a noun. It indicates that something has reached a level of development or sophistication deemed adequate or necessary for a specific purpose, as illustrated in examples on Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Science & Research

6%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sufficiently advanced" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that has reached a necessary level of progress or sophistication. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it suggests a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure that the criteria for 'sufficient' advancement are clearly defined. Alternatives include "adequately sophisticated" or "highly developed". Avoid redundancy by not saying "sufficiently advanced enough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently sophisticated

Synonymous, emphasizes sophistication, and is almost perfectly interchangeable.

highly developed

Focuses on the extent of development achieved. Is a more direct alternative.

advanced enough

Inverts the word order while retaining the core meaning. Simpler structure.

adequately sophisticated

Replaces "advanced" with a synonym emphasizing complexity and refinement. It changes the tone slightly making it more formal.

well-developed

A simpler and more general way to express a similar idea.

considerably progressed

Highlights the progress made. Less common and more descriptive.

state-of-the-art

Emphasizes the current highest level of development. More specific to technology.

substantially evolved

Emphasizes evolutionary development and can imply a longer period of development.

cutting-edge

Highlights the innovative and modern aspect of the advancement.

mature enough

Implies a level of completeness and readiness. More informal.

FAQs

How to use "sufficiently advanced" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficiently advanced" to describe technology, skills, or processes that have reached a necessary level of development. For instance, "The technology is "sufficiently advanced" to handle complex tasks".

What can I say instead of "sufficiently advanced"?

You can use alternatives like "adequately sophisticated", "highly developed", or "advanced enough" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "sufficiently advanced enough"?

Yes, "sufficiently advanced enough" is redundant. Using just ""sufficiently advanced"" conveys the meaning effectively without unnecessary repetition.

What does Arthur C. Clarke's quote about "sufficiently advanced" technology mean?

Arthur C. Clarke's quote, "Any "sufficiently advanced" technology is indistinguishable from magic," means that technology beyond our current understanding can appear magical or incomprehensible.