these will do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "these will do" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that a particular set of items or options is sufficient or acceptable for a purpose. Example: "I was looking for a few good books to read, and these will do just fine."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

These will do for a start.

The Guardian - Sport

Didn't have your sheets changed, these will do till Monday.

The New Yorker

Any two of these will do; there are many courses to go before you sleep.

The New York Times - Food

What I would like to happen I'm not picky, any of these will do.

The Guardian - Sport

Rules like these will do much to curtail unsafe, unsound and unfair loans.

The New York Times

£19.99 lakeland.co.uk Whether you're a weekend cook or a true professional, these will do you proud.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

It remains to be seen how these firms will do with these investments if China's markets slow.

The New York Times

"These girls will do anything for these guys," Ms. Ryan told me.

The New York Times

And showering more cash on these players will do nothing except, well, shower cash on these players.

The New York Times

None of these measures will do much to restore its authority, though, without a willing army or police force.

BBC

These policies will do that.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "these will do" to indicate that the options at hand are sufficient for the task, even if they aren't ideal. It's a practical phrase for accepting what's available.

Common error

Avoid using "these will do" when something truly isn't appropriate or functional. The phrase implies acceptance, so ensure it aligns with the actual suitability of the items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "these will do" functions as an evaluative statement, indicating that a set of items or options is adequate or satisfactory for a particular purpose. It's often used when the available choices are not ideal but are sufficient to meet the current need, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "these will do" is a common and acceptable way to express that something is sufficient or adequate, although perhaps not ideal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and finds use across a variety of contexts, particularly in news and media. While suitable for most situations, more formal alternatives might be preferred in professional settings. Remember, using "these will do" appropriately implies an acceptance of the available options as being good enough for the task at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

these are sufficient

Directly states adequacy, less conversational.

these are adequate

Similar to sufficient, implies meeting a minimum requirement.

these are acceptable

Indicates permission or agreement, slightly more formal.

these suffice

More concise and formal, emphasizes meeting a need.

these are good enough

More colloquial, suggests meeting a lower standard.

these will work

Focuses on functionality and achieving a specific task.

these are suitable

Implies appropriateness for a specific purpose or situation.

these measure up

Suggests meeting a required standard or expectation.

these are in order

Implies compliance and that everything is in the right condition.

these fill the bill

Idiomatic expression, meaning they meet the requirements.

FAQs

How can I use "these will do" in a sentence?

You can use "these will do" when you want to express that something is sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose, even if it's not perfect. For example, "I didn't have the right tools, but these will do for now".

What are some alternatives to saying "these will do"?

You can use alternatives like "these are sufficient", "these are adequate", or "these are acceptable" depending on the specific context.

Is "these will do" a formal or informal expression?

"These will do" is generally considered an informal expression suitable for casual conversations. In more formal settings, alternatives like "these are sufficient" may be more appropriate.

What does "these will do" imply about the items being referenced?

"These will do" implies that the items being referred to are not necessarily the best choice, but they are adequate or suitable enough to meet the immediate need. It suggests a pragmatic acceptance of the available options.