will not be sufficient

USAGE SUMMARY

"will not be sufficient" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are suggesting that something is not sufficient to accomplish a specific goal or purpose. For example: "This amount of money will not be sufficient to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One-off increases will not be sufficient.

The Guardian

Cosmetic surgery will not be sufficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

The increases are laudable, but they will not be sufficient.

The New York Times

In the long term, 'flat cash' will not be sufficient.

The Guardian

Tinkering around the edges will not be sufficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

But urging others into the fray will not be sufficient.

The Washington Post

But, on its own, this will not be sufficient.

The Guardian - Opinion

AP Statistics will not be sufficient to fulfill this prerequisite.

Princeton University

AP Microeconomics will not be sufficient to fulfill this prerequisite.

Princeton University

Just cleaning up the spill will not be sufficient.

The New York Times

But military means alone will not be sufficient.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will not be sufficient", clearly state what the subject is insufficient for. This provides context and prevents ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "This effort will not be sufficient", say "This effort will not be sufficient to meet the project deadline."

Common error

Avoid using "will not be sufficient" without specifying a clear standard or goal. Saying "The budget will not be sufficient" is less effective than "The budget will not be sufficient to cover the cost of materials and labor."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not be sufficient" functions as a predicate adjective, indicating that something lacks the necessary qualities or quantity to achieve a desired outcome. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that it suggests insufficiency for a specific goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

23%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will not be sufficient" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses inadequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests that something lacks what is needed to accomplish a specific goal. It is most commonly found in news, academic and scientific contexts, and tends to be neutral to professional in register. While acceptable in most situations, clarity is improved by specifying what the subject is insufficient for. Consider synonyms like "will be inadequate" or "will fall short" for nuanced meaning. Therefore, while versatile, precise usage of "will not be sufficient" enhances communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be insufficient

A formal and direct synonym, emphasizing the lack of necessary quantity or quality.

will be inadequate

Directly states that something is not good enough or sufficient.

won't suffice

A more concise way of saying something won't be enough.

will prove inadequate

Emphasizes the eventual failure or inadequacy of something.

will fall short

Focuses on the failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

will be lacking

Highlights the absence of something necessary.

will not measure up

Focuses on the inability to meet expectations or standards.

will be deficient

Implies a specific measurable shortage or inadequacy.

will be wanting

Suggests a lack of something desirable or necessary.

will not cut it

An informal way of saying something is not good enough.

FAQs

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

The phrase "will not be sufficient" indicates inadequacy. For example, "The current funding "will not be sufficient" to complete the research project."

What are some alternatives to "will not be sufficient"?

Alternatives include phrases like "will be inadequate", "will fall short", or "won't suffice", depending on the desired level of formality.

Is "will not be sufficient" formal or informal?

"Will not be sufficient" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression, suitable for professional, academic, and news contexts. Less formal alternatives exist, such as "won't cut it".

What's the difference between "will not be sufficient" and "will not be enough"?

While both phrases convey inadequacy, "will not be sufficient" tends to be more formal and is often used in professional or academic settings. "Will not be enough" is more commonly used in everyday conversation. They are often interchangeable, but the former is perceived as more sophisticated. For example: "The donation "will not be enough"" vs "The donation "will not be sufficient"".