were generous enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were generous enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone showed a significant level of generosity in a particular situation. Example: "The donors were generous enough to contribute a large sum to the charity, making a significant impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Some appetizers like popcorn shrimp and Buffalo wings were generous enough to share.

The New York Times

No party has ever claimed we were generous enough to begin with.

The Guardian - Opinion

The various bruschetta combinations were robust and the servings were generous enough to do double-duty as a main course.

The New York Times

The message it effectively conveys is: if enough affluent people in the West were generous enough to pay for water projects in poor countries, we could fix the problem.

The New York Times

It was a deeply personal project based on interviews with family members who were generous enough to mine their pain, yet I knew that it would, for many Nigerians of my generation, be as much history as literature.

The New Yorker

In the Rugby Championship, they not only scored at a rate of more than five tries per game but were generous enough to concede at an average of nearly three.

The Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Each is generous enough to serve two: (212 265-4000.

The New York Times

But Van Ronk was generous enough to order another.

The New Yorker

Their resulting offer was generous enough that they figured a deal was in the offing.

The New York Times

Perhaps now people will be generous enough to give him that fresh start.

Independent

Not everyone is generous enough to leave 20 percent, which is why the restaurants insist on it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Were kind enough" might be better if emphasizing thoughtfulness, while "were willing to" focuses on readiness to act.

Common error

Avoid using "were generous enough" when the action described doesn't genuinely reflect generosity or kindness. For example, saying "They were generous enough to do their job" is inappropriate as it's an expected action, not a generous one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were generous enough" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a subject by describing their action as being generous or sufficiently ample. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to express that someone showed a significant level of generosity in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62.5%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were generous enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for acknowledging kindness, willingness, or the sufficiency of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to highlight significant generosity. It is deemed grammatically correct and commonly applicable in diverse contexts, including news and media, academia, and general conversation. While the phrase is generally neutral, choosing alternatives like "were kind enough" or "were willing to" might better suit particular scenarios depending on the nuance to be conveyed. When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the act of generosity, and avoid using it in situations where the action is merely an expected duty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were kind enough

Replaces "generous" with "kind", focusing on the aspect of being considerate and thoughtful.

were gracious enough

Substitutes "generous" with "gracious", emphasizing politeness and courtesy.

were willing to

Focuses on the willingness to do something, rather than the generosity.

were good enough to

Highlights the goodness or benevolence in performing an action.

were charitable enough

Emphasizes the aspect of giving or donating, often in a philanthropic context.

were liberal enough

Stresses the open-handedness or lack of restriction in one's actions.

were magnanimous enough

Highlights the noble and forgiving nature of the action.

were bountiful enough

Emphasizes the abundance or profusion of what was given.

were ample enough

Indicates that something was sufficient or plentiful.

were sufficient enough

Highlights that there was enough for some purpose, which is the weakest semantic change.

FAQs

How can I use "were generous enough" in a sentence?

You can use "were generous enough" to express gratitude or acknowledge someone's kindness, such as "They "were generous enough" to donate to the cause".

What are some alternatives to "were generous enough"?

Some alternatives include "were kind enough", "were gracious enough", or "were willing to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were generous enough"?

Yes, "were generous enough" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe someone's act of generosity or willingness to do something.

What's the difference between "were generous enough" and "were kind enough"?

While both phrases express positive qualities, "were generous enough" typically implies a significant act of giving or assistance, whereas "were kind enough" suggests thoughtfulness and consideration.