that should do

USAGE SUMMARY

"that should do" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
We can use this phrase to suggest that something is enough or that a task is complete. For example, "I've finished all the laundry; that should do it!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, that should do it!

The New York Times

Yes, that should do it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Great, that should do the trick.

The Guardian - Opinion

O.K. he is told, that should do it.

The New York Times

But it is the government, not professional associations or private entities, that should do the grading.

The New York Times

"There are excellent people in the ministry that should do such work," he said.

The New York Times

"Yes, that should do nicely," Fat Jack said, putting down the weapon and pointing at the soft toy.

The New Yorker

"Right, that should do it," China said, patting the rope where he had tied it around the cow's neck.

The New Yorker

There the e S a lightweight supermini concept that should do nearly 85mpg; Deca Deca, a versatile "super box" with a low floor and pilarless doors.

Independent

With luck, that should do the trick.Mr Eisner, one of the entertainment world's great survivors, will no doubt try to fight to the death.

The Economist

It's the ball that should do the running, not the player.' On the train to Gelsenkirchen a group of journalists from Argentina were, as expected, divided over Riquelme.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that should do" when you want to convey that something is sufficient or adequate for a particular purpose. It's suitable for situations where you want to express satisfaction with a result or a plan.

Common error

Avoid using "that should do" in highly formal or professional settings where a more precise or sophisticated expression might be more appropriate. Alternatives like "that should suffice" or "that will be sufficient" may be better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that should do" primarily functions as an evaluative statement, indicating that something is adequate or sufficient for a particular purpose. This is supported by Ludwig AI's analysis, which confirms its correct usage. Ludwig examples show it used to express completion or satisfaction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

The New Yorker

7%

The New York Times

4%

TechCrunch

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that should do" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is sufficient or adequate. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's widely accepted in various contexts, particularly in news and media, but it can be less appropriate in highly formal settings. While alternatives like "that should suffice" or "that will be sufficient" exist, "that should do" remains a versatile and practical phrase for expressing satisfaction or completion. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian further attests to its widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that ought to suffice

Replaces 'should' with 'ought to' and 'do' with 'suffice', making it slightly more formal.

that should suffice

Replaces 'do' with 'suffice', which is a bit more formal and emphasizes adequacy.

that should be sufficient

Substitutes 'do' with 'be sufficient', expressing adequacy more explicitly.

that should be enough

Replaces 'do' with 'be enough', offering a simpler and more direct expression of sufficiency.

that should be adequate

Uses 'adequate' instead of 'enough', implying a satisfactory but not necessarily exceptional level.

that's all that's needed

Emphasizes the completeness and lack of further requirements.

that will be sufficient

Uses 'will' instead of 'should,' indicating a future expectation of sufficiency.

that'll do

A contraction of "that will do", is more informal than the original phrase.

that's the ticket

An informal expression indicating that something is exactly right or what is needed.

that hits the spot

Suggests something perfectly fulfills a need or desire, often used in an informal context.

FAQs

What does "that should do" mean?

The phrase "that should do" means that something is sufficient or adequate for a particular purpose. It implies satisfaction with a result or a plan.

When can I use "that should do"?

You can use "that should do" when you want to express that something is enough to meet a certain requirement or achieve a desired outcome. It's suitable for both casual and semi-formal situations.

What can I say instead of "that should do"?

You can use alternatives like "that should suffice", "that should be enough", or "that will do" depending on the context.

Is "that should do" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that should do" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both spoken and written language.