will not be enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will not be enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is insufficient or inadequate for a particular purpose or need. Example: "The resources we have gathered will not be enough to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This will not be enough.

The New York Times

That will not be enough.

The Economist

Growth will not be enough.

The New York Times

But hitting fairways will not be enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Feel-good communiqués will not be enough.

The New York Times

This, say critics, will not be enough.

The New York Times

But it will not be enough.

The Economist

Mystique by itself will not be enough.

The Economist

But moral admonitions will not be enough.

The Economist

Familiar lofty principles will not be enough.

The New York Times

Brilliance alone, though, will not be enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Follow "will not be enough" with an explanation of what is needed to achieve the desired outcome. This makes your statement more constructive.

Common error

Avoid using "will not be enough" when a more moderate expression of inadequacy would be more accurate. Overstating the problem can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not be enough" functions as a modal phrase expressing insufficiency or inadequacy. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates that a particular action, resource, or quality is not sufficient to meet a specific need or achieve a desired outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will not be enough" is a versatile expression used to convey that something is insufficient or inadequate for a particular purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and business settings. Common alternatives include "will not suffice" and "will fall short". When using this phrase, it's essential to clearly define the standard or requirement that is not being met to avoid ambiguity and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will prove insufficient

Replaces 'enough' with 'insufficient', emphasizing a lack of capacity or qualification.

will not suffice

Uses the more formal verb 'suffice' to indicate inadequacy.

will be inadequate

Substitutes 'enough' with 'inadequate', directly stating a deficiency.

will fall short

Employs a phrasal verb to convey a failure to reach a required standard or amount.

will not measure up

Uses a comparison to state that something does not meet a certain standard.

will be wanting

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying something will be lacking.

will leave something to be desired

A polite way to say something is not entirely satisfactory.

will not cut it

An informal expression indicating something is not good enough.

won't be up to par

Idiomatic expression indicating a failure to meet expectations or standards.

will miss the mark

Highlights the failure to achieve the intended goal or outcome.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "will not be enough"?

It means that the quantity, quality, or extent of something is insufficient to meet a particular need or achieve a desired outcome. In other words, it's inadequate for the purpose.

How can I use "will not be enough" in a sentence?

You can use it to express that a certain action, resource, or quality is insufficient for achieving a specific goal. For example, "Simply apologizing "will not be enough"; you must also take corrective action."

What's a more formal way to say "will not be enough"?

More formal alternatives include "will not suffice" or "will prove insufficient". These options are suitable for professional or academic writing.

What are some less formal alternatives to "will not be enough"?

For less formal situations, you might say "will fall short" or "will not cut it". These phrases are appropriate for casual conversation and informal writing.