what is sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is sufficient" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing criteria, requirements, or standards in various contexts. For example: "We need to determine what is sufficient for the project to be considered successful." Alternative expressions include "what is adequate" and "what is enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

The stakes are too high to settle only for what is sufficient.

The New York Times

But what is "sufficient character not to abuse the power of the Presidency"?

The New Yorker

[I wanted] a social system where all would have what is sufficient for a decent life and where there would be justice and equality.

The Guardian

But clearly the calculations when the plant was first operated in 1986 are not what is sufficient today, not all the time".

The New York Times

I don't know what is sufficient to persuade Assad to cede power to a national unity government, but I know what is necessary: He has to lose the two most important props holding up his regime.

The New York Times

I focused on them because I believe that while they may not know what is sufficient to fix Egypt (who does?) they do know what is necessary: Egypt needs a revolution.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

Further, to move the field forward during the first half of the 21st century, both the number of exposure science professionals and their skill sets must expand beyond what was sufficient for the past 25 years.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Importantly, this appears to be an effect of RV strain, not differences in resistance between the hosts: inoculation of fox-associated RV into striped skunks at a dose 10 times higher than what was sufficient to kill 7/7 foxes failed to kill 6/6 skunks [ 30].

Current Opinion in Virology

What is left is sufficient code that doesn't have to be loaded when you boot up Windows from the hard drive to the RAM to have Windows 98 take up 20percentt less RAM when it's booted up.

The New York Times

Ed Davey noted yesterday that the Paris summit is likely to fall well short of the 2-degree target, highlighting the gap between what is scientifically sufficient and what is politically possible.

The Guardian

What is a sufficient number?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is sufficient", ensure that the context clearly defines the criteria or standards being referenced. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "what is sufficient" without specifying the context or criteria. This can lead to confusion if the reader is unsure of what standards are being applied.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is sufficient" functions as a relative clause, often serving as a noun clause that acts as the subject or object of a sentence. This construction allows for inquiry or specification regarding the amount or quality needed to satisfy a condition or achieve a goal. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples demonstrating this functionality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what is sufficient" functions as a versatile relative clause used to inquire about or define the necessary amount, quality, or degree for a given purpose. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in both scientific and general contexts. While "what is adequate" and "what is enough" serve as similar alternatives, "what is sufficient" often implies a more precise fulfillment of a specific requirement. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the context or criteria being referenced when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is adequate

Focuses on the basic acceptability or satisfactoriness of something; a more general term.

what is enough

Emphasizes reaching a point where no more is needed, stressing completion and satisfaction.

what is satisfactory

Focuses on meeting expectations or requirements, emphasizing contentment with the outcome.

what is acceptable

Indicates meeting a minimum standard or threshold of approval, implying permission or agreement.

what is requisite

Highlights the mandatory or indispensable nature of something, indicating a formal requirement.

what is the minimum requirement

Focuses on the least acceptable condition or quantity, emphasizing a baseline standard.

what is the required amount

Specifically asks for a quantity or extent that is needed, highlighting precision and necessity.

what is ample

Suggests a generous or more-than-adequate amount, implying abundance.

what constitutes adequacy

Explores the qualities or components that define being adequate, prompting a deeper analysis.

what fulfils the need

Stresses the function of satisfying a specific requirement or demand, highlighting utility.

FAQs

How can I use "what is sufficient" in a sentence?

The phrase "what is sufficient" is used to inquire about or define the amount, quality, or degree needed to meet a particular requirement or achieve a specific outcome. For example, "We need to determine "what is sufficient" for the project to be considered successful."

What's the difference between "what is sufficient" and "what is adequate"?

While both terms relate to meeting a requirement, "what is sufficient" often implies meeting a specific need or purpose, whereas "what is adequate" generally means just enough to be acceptable or satisfactory. Sufficiency suggests a more precise fulfillment of a particular requirement.

Are there formal alternatives to "what is sufficient"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you could use phrases like "what is requisite" or "the minimum requirement". These options convey a sense of necessity and precision, often suitable for legal or academic writing.

In technical writing, how can I best define "what is sufficient"?

In technical contexts, it's crucial to define ""what is sufficient"" with measurable metrics or clearly defined standards. This might involve specifying numerical thresholds, performance benchmarks, or compliance criteria to avoid ambiguity.