sufficiently polite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficiently polite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of politeness that meets a certain standard or requirement in a given context. Example: "Her response was sufficiently polite, ensuring that the conversation remained respectful despite the disagreement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Bush gets to the office at around six-forty-five each morning, follows an exercise regimen, and keeps meetings short and structured; he cannot disguise his annoyance at reporters who ask follow-up questions or who are not, in his estimation, sufficiently polite; and he grumbles if he's not in bed by 10 p.m. Bush insists that the White House speak with one voice.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Not sufficiently upfront" is a polite Canadian way of saying that economists lied.

Forbes

Despite his brilliance, Bezmozgis suffers by the inevitable comparisons: he is too polite, too restrained, never sufficiently surprising.

The Guardian - Books

He was sufficiently at ease to joke with the delegates, who responded with polite laughter, about the city's troubles with their parking habits.

The New York Times

Be polite.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Was it sufficiently filmic?

The New Yorker

"I'm sufficiently embarrassed".

The New York Times

Not sufficiently.

The Guardian - Business

People are very polite.

Cornell University

Polite engagement?

The Guardian

"Very polite.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sufficiently polite" when you want to indicate that someone's behavior or language meets a necessary standard of politeness, especially in situations where maintaining decorum is important.

Common error

Avoid using "sufficiently polite" in informal contexts where it may sound overly stiff or unnatural. Opt for simpler, more casual expressions like "nice enough" or "decently polite".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficiently polite" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe the degree of politeness. It indicates that the level of politeness meets a certain requirement or expectation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficiently polite" is an adverb-adjective combination used to describe a level of politeness that meets a certain standard or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase is suitable for formal or professional contexts where decorum is important. Alternative phrases like "adequately courteous" or "suitably respectful" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When employing "sufficiently polite", consider the setting to avoid sounding overly stiff in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequately courteous

Focuses more on the level of courtesy being adequate.

suitably respectful

Highlights the appropriateness of the respect shown.

appropriately civil

Emphasizes maintaining a basic level of civility.

acceptably gracious

Implies a degree of grace that meets expectations.

reasonably well-mannered

Indicates a moderate level of good manners.

passably courteous

Suggests a bare minimum of courtesy is achieved.

decently polite

Focuses on politeness that is adequate.

tolerably civil

Suggests a level of civility that is just about bearable.

kind of polite

Indicates a somewhat polite demeanor, potentially lacking sincerity.

formally polite

Emphasizes adherence to formal politeness rules, potentially lacking warmth.

FAQs

How can I use "sufficiently polite" in a sentence?

You can use "sufficiently polite" to describe a level of politeness that meets a certain standard. For instance, "Her response was "sufficiently polite", ensuring the conversation remained respectful."

What's a more casual way to say "sufficiently polite"?

Alternatives include "adequately courteous", "suitably respectful", or even just "nice enough", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "sufficiently polite"?

It's appropriate in formal or professional settings where a certain level of decorum is expected. In casual conversations, it might sound overly formal.

What is the difference between "sufficiently polite" and "very polite"?

"Very polite" suggests a high degree of politeness, while "sufficiently polite" implies that the level of politeness is adequate for a specific situation, potentially meeting a minimum requirement.