was not enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something did not meet a required standard or quantity. Example: "Despite our efforts, the funding we received was not enough to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Knowing was not enough.

The New York Times - Sports

It was not enough.

The New York Times

There was not enough foam.

Independent

That was not enough, apparently.

The New York Times - Sports

But Gatwick was not enough.

Independent

But that was not enough.

The New York Times - Sports

But this was not enough.

The New York Times - Books

Apparently, it was not enough.

The New York Times

That, seemingly, was not enough.

The Guardian

Being nondescript was not enough.

The Economist

But it was not enough.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or requirement was unmet. This will help avoid ambiguity and make your writing more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "was not enough" when a stronger term indicating complete failure is more appropriate. For example, if something caused a total system collapse, "was not enough to prevent the collapse" might understate the severity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not enough" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, indicating that a subject did not meet a required level or standard. It describes a deficiency or inadequacy, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not enough" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something failed to meet a certain requirement or standard. As demonstrated by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in news and media, indicating its widespread use and general applicability. While it's a versatile phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly defines the unmet requirement to avoid ambiguity. While alternatives like "proved insufficient" or "fell short" exist, "was not enough" maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Always consider the specific context and desired tone when choosing among these options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was inadequate

Replaces "was not enough" with a direct synonym expressing a lack of quality or quantity.

fell short

Offers a more concise and common way to say "was not enough", implying a failure to reach a required standard.

was lacking

Indicates that something was missing, implying it was not enough to meet requirements.

proved insufficient

Replaces "was not enough" with a more formal and emphatic expression of inadequacy.

wasn't up to par

Indicates that something did not meet the expected level or standard.

failed to measure up

Suggests a failure to meet expectations or standards, similar to "was not enough".

did not suffice

Substitutes "was not enough" with a more formal and somewhat archaic expression.

was deficient

A more formal synonym for "was not enough", indicating a lack or shortage.

couldn't cut it

An informal idiom conveying that something was not good enough or sufficient.

didn't make the grade

An idiomatic expression implying failure to reach a required standard, similar to "was not enough".

FAQs

How can I use "was not enough" in a sentence?

Use "was not enough" to indicate that something failed to meet a certain requirement or standard. For example, "The effort put in "was not enough" to secure the victory".

What are some alternatives to "was not enough"?

Alternatives include "proved insufficient", "fell short", or "did not suffice", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "was not enough" or "was insufficient"?

Both "was not enough" and "was insufficient" are grammatically correct, but "was insufficient" is more formal. The choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "was not enough" and "was barely enough"?

"Was not enough" indicates a clear failure to meet a requirement, while "was barely enough" suggests that a requirement was only just met, implying a very narrow margin and potential instability.