what would be enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what would be enough" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the sufficiency of something, often in the context of needs, expectations, or requirements. Example: "In terms of resources, what would be enough to complete the project successfully?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"And I always want to say, 'Well, what would be enough when you know you can never see someone again?' " Amanda Fortini is a writer and a visiting lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The New Yorker

What would be "enough" to make the processes patent eligible?

TechCrunch

Neither person says when it will hit nor spells out what would be "enough" degrees.

Science Magazine

But I hadn't ever thought about what it would be — what would be enough to take me away.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

What would be big enough?

The Guardian - Opinion

What would be important enough to cause Gene Pami to miss a Monday night at Wallington? "I'd have to be dead," he said.

The New York Times

It's not clear what would be good enough for the Republicans since there was very little talk of substance on Monday after the bill died on the floor of the House.

The New York Times

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Vice

I: What would be serious enough for you to want to go to the doctor, if there is anything?

BMC Public Health

If you don't already know what you want to base your website around, research through keywords what would be popular enough to bring visitors to your site.

WikiHow

Many in the Vyatsky Market were not opposed in principle to the idea of replacing services with cash, as long as the amount would be enough to purchase what would be taken away.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what would be enough" when you want to explore hypothetical scenarios and their required conditions. Frame it as a question to prompt critical thinking.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "enough" implies perfection or absolute completion. "Enough" simply means sufficient for a particular purpose, not necessarily the maximum possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what would be enough" functions as an interrogative phrase, often used to introduce a question exploring conditions for sufficiency or satisfaction. It appears frequently in contexts where needs or requirements are being evaluated, as Ludwig AI confirms with its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what would be enough" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, designed to instigate contemplation about sufficiency under hypothetical conditions. While not exceptionally common, it appears reliably in varied sources, particularly News & Media. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. When using this phrase, keep in mind that "enough" doesn't necessarily mean 'perfect' but instead 'sufficient'. If you prefer a more formal tone, you may consider "what level is sufficient".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is sufficient

Focuses directly on the concept of sufficiency, removing the conditional aspect.

what is adequate

Replaces "enough" with a synonym that also implies meeting a requirement.

what is the minimum requirement

Highlights the bare minimum needed to satisfy a specific condition.

what level is acceptable

Shifts the focus to acceptability rather than absolute sufficiency.

what is the threshold

Emphasizes the point at which something becomes sufficient.

what amount is satisfactory

Replaces "enough" with "satisfactory", focusing on meeting expectations.

what satisfies the criteria

Highlights the need to fulfill specific criteria.

what meets the standard

Emphasizes adherence to a pre-defined standard.

what constitutes completeness

Focuses on achieving a state of being complete or whole.

what resolves the issue

Highlights the action to be enough to bring resolution.

FAQs

How can I use "what would be enough" in a sentence?

You can use "what would be enough" to question the sufficiency of an action or quantity in a hypothetical situation. For example, "What would be enough to convince them?"

What's a more formal alternative to "what would be enough"?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "what level is sufficient" or "what minimum standard must be met" to maintain a professional tone. Avoid contractions and colloquialisms.

Is "what would be enough" always a question?

Yes, "what would be enough" is typically phrased as a question. To make it a statement, rephrase it as something like, "Determining what would be sufficient is crucial".

What's the difference between "what would be enough" and "what is enough"?

"What is enough" refers to a present or general condition, while "what would be enough" explores a hypothetical or future scenario. The former assesses current sufficiency; the latter considers potential future sufficiency.