were good enough to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were good enough to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone met a certain standard or expectation, often in a positive context. Example: "The volunteers were good enough to help us organize the event, making it a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I thought we were good enough to win".

The New York Times

But conditions were good enough to raise quail.

The New York Times

They wondered why no blacks were "good enough" to work as hotel receptionists.

The Economist

She and Rand were good enough to qualify for the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

Those numbers, though, were good enough to secure it a second season.

The New York Times - Arts

I thought they were good enough to wine but they weren't.

Independent

I just didn't think we were good enough to be playing in concerts and making records.

The New Yorker

The performances were good enough to satisfy my untrained ears, though.

The New York Times - Tech

Gardner and Gallon were good enough to make up the difference.

The New York Times - Sports

The ruse worked, and the pictures were good enough to get plum assignments.

The New York Times

He said the Giants, as constructed, were good enough to make the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were good enough to", ensure the context clearly defines the standard being met. Providing specific details enhances clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "were good enough to" when a higher level of excellence is implied. This can create a misleading impression, especially when describing exceptional achievements. A phrase like "were outstanding" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were good enough to" functions as a subject complement, describing the quality or ability of the subject to meet a certain standard or requirement. It indicates a sufficient level of capability, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Sports

27%

General Conversation

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were good enough to" is a versatile expression indicating that a certain level of adequacy or capability has been achieved. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news, sports, and general conversation. While neutral in tone, it's important to ensure the context aligns with the level of excellence implied, and avoid overstating when superior performance is intended. Alternatives such as "were sufficient to" or "were adequate to" can provide a more formal tone when needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were adequate to

Replaces "good enough" with "adequate", suggesting a basic level of sufficiency.

were sufficient to

Similar to "adequate to", indicating that the minimum requirements were met.

were capable of

Focuses on the ability to perform a specific action.

were qualified to

Implies having the necessary qualifications or skills.

were up to par to

Uses an idiomatic expression to mean meeting the required standard.

were competent to

Highlights the possession of necessary skills and knowledge.

were fit to

Suggests suitability for a particular purpose or task.

were able to

Emphasizes the ability to do something, often overcoming a challenge.

were equal to the task of

Implies that the individuals or things mentioned possess enough skill and power to complete a task.

passed muster for

An idiom that suggests something has met requirements following a test or inspection.

FAQs

How can I use "were good enough to" in a sentence?

The phrase "were good enough to" indicates that something or someone met a certain standard or expectation. For example, "The test scores "were good enough to" pass the course".

What's a more formal alternative to "were good enough to"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "were sufficient to" or "were adequate to", which convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "were good enough to" appropriate for describing exceptional performance?

While grammatically correct, "were good enough to" might understate exceptional performance. Phrases such as "were outstanding" or "were exceptional" may be more suitable in such cases.

What is the difference between "were good enough to" and "managed to"?

"Were good enough to" implies meeting a standard of quality or ability. Whereas "managed to" suggests overcoming a challenge or difficulty to achieve something, regardless of the quality of the outcome.