that would do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that would do" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something is sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. Example: "If you could bring the report by noon, that would do." Alternative expressions include "that works" and "that suffices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"These cars that would do everything".

The New York Times

The president has proposed a plan that would do that".

The New York Times

I don't know another theater that would do that".

The New York Times

"Like Mother, Like Son": that would do the trick.

The New Yorker

He has written a bill that would do just that.

The New York Times

(He has a bill that would do just that).

The Economist

AMY DAVIDSON: Laurent, that would do the trick!

The New Yorker

In a lot of minds, that would do it.

The New York Times

He was the kind of guy that would do that.

The Guardian

"If I had Frank Sinatra, that would do awesome.

The New York Times - Arts

But, of course, that would do it, wouldn't it?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that would do" to casually express acceptance or satisfaction with a proposed solution, suggestion, or action. It implies a sense of adequacy rather than excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "that would do" in highly formal or professional settings where a more direct or enthusiastic affirmation is appropriate. Opt for phrases like "that is sufficient" or "that meets our requirements" for greater formality.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "that would do" is to express acceptance, agreement, or sufficiency. It indicates that something is adequate or meets the necessary requirements, although not necessarily exceeding them. As demonstrated by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used in everyday conversations and written text to convey satisfaction with a proposed action or solution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"That would do" is a versatile phrase used to express acceptance, agreement, or sufficiency. Grammatically correct and very common, it appears frequently in news and media, signaling that something is adequate rather than exceptional. While useful in various contexts, it is best suited for neutral to informal settings, as Ludwig AI confirms. For more formal situations, alternatives like "that is sufficient" are more appropriate. Remember to use "that would do" when you want to convey that something meets the necessary requirements without necessarily exceeding them.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that suffices

Emphasizes that something is enough or adequate, highlighting the satisfaction of a requirement but replacing the more conversational tone.

that's sufficient

States adequacy, similar to the query but with a more formal declaration of sufficiency.

that's adequate

Indicates something meets the necessary requirements, shifting focus to the level of acceptability.

that'll suffice

A contraction emphasizing future adequacy, slightly less formal than "that suffices".

that will be enough

Expresses that the quantity or quality is satisfactory, focusing on meeting a specific need.

that is enough

Direct statement of sufficiency, more emphatic and less nuanced than the original phrase.

that answers the purpose

Highlights fulfillment of an intended goal, differing in that it emphasizes the goal-oriented aspect.

that hits the spot

Implies something perfectly satisfies a need or desire, more informal and specific in context.

that fits the bill

Suggests suitability for a specific purpose, using a common idiom emphasizing appropriateness.

that works

Indicates something is effective or agreeable, simplifying the expression to a statement of functionality.

FAQs

How can I use "that would do" in a sentence?

You can use "that would do" to express acceptance or sufficiency, such as "If you could finish the report by Friday, "that would do" nicely".

What's a more formal alternative to "that would do"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "that is sufficient" or "that is adequate". These options are suitable for professional settings where clarity and precision are important.

Is "that will do" the same as "that would do"?

While similar, "that will do" implies a more immediate or definite satisfaction, whereas "that would do" suggests a conditional or hypothetical acceptance. Consider using "that will do" when confirming something is currently sufficient.

When is it appropriate to use "that would do" instead of "that's perfect"?

"That would do" suggests adequacy, implying something meets the minimum requirement, whereas "that's perfect" expresses an ideal or flawless satisfaction. Use "that would do" when something is good enough rather than exceptional.