understandable enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "understandable enough" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that something is sufficiently clear or easy to comprehend. For example, "The instructions were understandable enough for everyone to follow." Alternative expressions include "clear enough" and "comprehensible enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

The API is in Polish, but Janus says it's understandable enough when run through Google Translate.

MIT Technology Review

It seems to me understandable enough to say no to such a request.

The Guardian - Books

The snooping is understandable enough, but Henry's response - feverish, obsessive, all-consuming - isn't.

The Guardian - Books

The difficult economy has put the top wines beyond the reach of most wine drinkers, which is understandable enough.

The New York Times - Food

If the biographer sometimes loses a sense of proportion, that's understandable enough with a life as front-loaded as Lee's.

The New Yorker

It's an understandable enough notion, given that the attacks occurred in 2001 and a recession began that same year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

This is understandable, and fair enough.

The Economist

In my experience, a policy advisor who usually explains in an understandable manner gains enough credibility from the policymaker to be listened to if he occasionally offers necessary differentiation.4.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

Understandable — but not good enough.

The New Yorker

There was some understandable delay rounding up enough of the recommended respirators.

The New York Times

I think arguments that it's not timely enough are understandable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the end of a clause to create a natural pause that emphasizes the sufficiency of the explanation or action.

Common error

Avoid placing "enough" before the adjective, such as saying "enough understandable". In English, "enough" must follow the adjective it modifies to be grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "understandable enough" functions primarily as an adjective phrase where "understandable" serves as the head adjective and "enough" acts as a post-modifying adverb of degree. According to Ludwig, it typically appears in the predicative position (e.g., "the reasons are "understandable enough"") or as a post-modifier for a noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "understandable enough" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase for describing things that meet a baseline of logic or clarity. Data from Ludwig shows that it is a staple in high-quality journalism, particularly when authors need to acknowledge that a motive or explanation is valid, even if it is not ideal. It is important to maintain the correct word order by placing "enough" after the adjective. Whether you are writing for a scientific journal or a news editorial, this phrase provides a useful balance of precision and pragmatism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intelligible enough

Shifts the focus slightly toward the capacity of being understood by the intellect.

clear enough

A more common and slightly less formal way to express the same level of adequacy.

sufficiently comprehensible

More formal and precise, ideal for technical or academic documentation.

reasonably transparent

Suggests that the meaning is not just understood but also free from hidden complexity.

adequately explained

Focuses on the quality of the explanation rather than the nature of the subject itself.

perfectly understandable

Increases the intensity, suggesting there is no doubt at all about the logic or clarity.

logical enough

Used when the focus is on the reasoning or motivation behind an action rather than just clarity.

plain enough

Emphasis on simplicity and lack of ornamentation or jargon.

readable enough

Specifically refers to written text or code that can be parsed without too much effort.

accessible enough

Suggests that a wide audience can grasp the concept, emphasizing inclusivity.

FAQs

How do I use "understandable enough" in a sentence?

You can use it as a predicative adjective after a linking verb, for example: "The technical manual was "understandable enough" for the novice users to complete the setup."

What is a more formal alternative to "understandable enough"?

In formal or academic contexts, you might prefer using "sufficiently intelligible" or "adequately clear".

Is it correct to say "enough understandable"?

No, that is grammatically incorrect. Adverbs of degree like "enough" must follow the adjective they modify. You should always use ""understandable enough"" instead.

Can "understandable enough" refer to human behavior?

Yes, it is often used to describe motivations or reactions that are logical under the circumstances, similar to saying a choice was "reasonable enough".