was cause enough

USAGE SUMMARY

'was cause enough' is a phrase used in written English.
It is used to suggest that something is enough of a reason or justification for an action or decision. For example: "Her poor health was cause enough for me to take a break from work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

For fans who never expected to see her perform again, her reappearance was cause enough for gratitude.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Wineberg said the damage to his clients' business was cause enough to show the antitrust laws had been broken.

The New York Times

That was cause enough for a serious bout of unhappiness, and a serious need for political and economic reform.

The New York Times

According to multiple reports at the time, his children from his previous marriage loathed her, and not just because of their father's bafflingly bad dye job that happened on her watch, although I always thought that was cause enough.

The Guardian - Film

Given the grim realities that lay behind many of Mr. Bush's upbeat assessments over the years, this pat on the back was cause enough for New Yorkers to be discouraged.

The New York Times

The disintegration of the Soviet Union, the breaking-away of Russia's European satellites, peaceful political change in South Africa, Kuwait liberated, the Taliban sent packing: all that was cause enough for US euphoria.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"This issue was causing enough concern among employees that he wanted to deal with it".

The New York Times

Standstill may not be cause enough to open the Champagne, but it's pretty good.

Independent

This, and seeing how isolated Israel has become for me are cause enough for celebration".

The New York Times

His death has undoubtedly made him a martyr and perhaps will be cause enough for renewed attacks.

The Guardian - Opinion

Whatever the outcome of Hollywood's most important/overrated (delete as appropriate) award ceremony on Sunday, surely that's cause enough to celebrate, isn't it?

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was cause enough", ensure the context clearly establishes what the 'cause' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "was cause enough" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider simpler alternatives like 'was reason enough' or 'was enough of a reason' for a more natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was cause enough" functions as a predicate adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something provided sufficient justification or reason. It is often used to express that a situation or event warranted a particular response or feeling. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with several examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was cause enough" is a phrase used to indicate that something provided sufficient justification or reason for a specific action or feeling. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to consider the register and ensure the context clearly establishes the 'cause' to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternative phrasings, such as "was reason enough", depending on the specific nuance and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was reason enough

A very close synonym, simply swapping 'cause' for 'reason'.

was good enough reason

Adds a colloquial touch with "good enough".

was sufficient reason

Replaces 'cause enough' with a more formal and direct synonym.

was ample justification

Emphasizes the abundance of justification.

offered sufficient motivation

Highlights the motivational aspect of the reason.

provided sufficient grounds

Uses 'grounds' instead of 'cause' or 'reason', implying a formal justification.

was an adequate explanation

Focuses on the explanatory power of the cause.

constituted a valid basis

More formal and legalistic in tone.

justified the action

Focuses on the act of justification rather than the inherent reason.

warranted the response

Highlights the appropriateness of a reaction or response.

FAQs

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

Use "was cause enough" to indicate that a particular event or situation provided sufficient justification for a specific action or feeling. For instance, "The severity of the storm "was cause enough" to evacuate the town".

What is a simpler way to say "was cause enough"?

Alternatives to "was cause enough" include "was reason enough", "justified the action", or "warranted the response". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to use "was reason enough" or "was cause enough"?

Both "was cause enough" and "was reason enough" are grammatically correct and nearly interchangeable. "Reason" might feel slightly more natural in everyday conversation, while "cause" can lend a more formal or emphatic tone.

What does "was cause enough for gratitude" mean?

"Was cause enough for gratitude" means that something was so positive or relieving that it warranted feelings of thankfulness. It highlights that the event was a sufficient reason to be grateful.