Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

that'll do
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

That'll do.

News & Media

The New York Times

That'll do it.

News & Media

The New York Times

That'll do for starters.

News & Media

The Guardian - Money

That's what that'll do.

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

"That'll do," she says.

News & Media

The Guardian

That'll do, Seaworth.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

I think that will do the trick".

News & Media

The New York Times

Ah, that will do the trick.

News & Media

The New Yorker

That will do them.

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

That will do nicely.

News & Media

The Guardian

That will do me".

News & Media

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In dialogue, use this phrase to gently but firmly stop someone from continuing an action or speech.

Common error

Do not use "that'll do" in technical manuals or formal business reports where precision is required. Instead of saying a measurement "that'll do", specify that the value "meets the requirements" or "is within acceptable limits" to avoid appearing unprofessional.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.7/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "that'll do" functions as an independent clause or a verb phrase serving as a complete thought. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently used as a concluding statement to mark the end of a process. It utilizes the modal verb "will" to project the adequacy of the subject into the immediate future.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

General Wiki & Guides

15%

Pop Culture Commentary

10%

Less common in

Academic Research

Legal Documents

Scientific Data Analysis

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "that'll do" is a robust and efficient English idiom used to acknowledge sufficiency. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate that it is a favorite among journalists for its brevity and finality. Whether used to accept a proposal, finish a task, or dismiss a person, it remains a staple of modern English. While it carries a slightly informal weight, its presence in authoritative publications like The New Yorker proves its stylistic flexibility. Writers should use it when they want to sound direct and practical, but may consider alternatives like "that will suffice" for more rigid professional environments.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that will suffice

shifts to a more formal and professional tone

that is enough

removes the contraction and is more direct

that should do it

suggests that a specific action has solved a problem

it will serve its purpose

focuses more on the utility of the object or action

that works for me

adds a personal sense of agreement to the sufficiency

good enough

suggests a level of quality that is acceptable but perhaps not perfect

that's plenty

implies that the amount provided is more than adequate

that is adequate

uses a more technical or clinical descriptor for sufficiency

that's fine

is a more general marker of acceptance

that will be all

often used when dismissing someone or concluding a service

FAQs

What is the meaning of "that'll do"?

The phrase "that'll do" is a contraction of "that will do", and it means that something is sufficient, adequate, or serves the current purpose well enough. You can also use "that is enough" if you want to be more literal.

Can I use "that'll do" in a formal email?

It is generally better to use more formal alternatives like "that will suffice" or "that is satisfactory" in professional settings to ensure your tone remains respectful and polished.

What is the difference between "that'll do" and "that'll do it"?

While "that'll do" refers to general sufficiency, "that'll do it" often refers to a specific action that completes a task or solves a problem. For example, if you are looking for a solution, you might say "that will do the trick".

Is "that'll do" a complete sentence?

Yes, it is often used as a stand-alone sentence in spoken English to signify that no further action or items are needed. A similar stand-alone alternative is "that is all".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

93%

Authority and reliability

4.7/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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that'll doGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

that'll do
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples