that was enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"that was enough" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that a certain amount or activity is sufficient. For example, "It took me two hours to clean the house, but that was enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

For Emily, that was enough.

The New Yorker

For Devine, that was enough.

The New Yorker

For Kino, that was enough.

The New Yorker

At the time, that was enough.

The New York Times - Sports

In Oregon, that was enough.

The New York Times

And that was enough.

The New Yorker

("That was enough trouble").

The New York Times - Books

"That was enough".

The New York Times

But that was enough.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"That was enough escape for them.

The New Yorker

Against Louisville, that was enough to win.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was enough" to concisely convey that a certain action, amount, or condition was sufficient to meet a particular need or achieve a desired outcome.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "that was enough" in formal writing. While grammatically sound, it can sometimes sound too simplistic. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "that sufficed" or "that proved adequate" /s/that+proved+adequate in professional or academic contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was enough" functions as a declarative statement indicating sufficiency or adequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common and grammatically correct way to express that a certain requirement has been met or a particular situation has been resolved.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was enough" is a versatile phrase used to indicate sufficiency, satisfaction, or resolution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, consider more formal alternatives like "that sufficed" in academic or professional contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly conveys that no further action or resources were required, providing a sense of completion to the situation at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was sufficient

Substitutes "enough" with its direct synonym, "sufficient", maintaining a similar level of formality.

that was satisfactory

Indicates that something fulfilled expectations or needs to a pleasing extent.

that proved adequate

Uses "adequate" as a synonym for "enough", highlighting the suitability of something for a specific purpose.

that sufficed

Replaces "was enough" with a more formal synonym, 'sufficed', indicating adequacy.

that met the requirement

Focuses on fulfilling a specific need or condition, often in a formal context.

that was all that was needed

Highlights that no further action or resources were necessary.

that was all it took

Emphasizes the minimal effort or action required to achieve a result.

that settled the matter

Suggests a conclusion or resolution was reached, and no further discussion is required.

that did the trick

Offers a more informal, idiomatic alternative suggesting a solution or desired outcome was achieved.

that closed the case

Implies a finality, indicating that a situation is resolved or completed, often in a legal or investigative context.

FAQs

How can I use "that was enough" in a sentence?

"That was enough" is used to indicate that something was sufficient or satisfactory. For example, "He apologized, and that was enough for me to forgive him".

What are some alternatives to "that was enough"?

You can use alternatives like "that was sufficient", "that sufficed", or "that did the trick" depending on the context.

Is "that was enough" formal or informal?

"That was enough" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. In very formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "that proved adequate".

What does "that was enough" imply?

"That was enough" implies that no more action or resources were necessary to achieve a desired outcome or meet a specific requirement. It conveys a sense of completion or satisfaction.