will not suffice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will not suffice" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It can be used to express that something is inadequate or insufficient for the desired purpose. For example: "This explanation will not suffice - I need you to provide more details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Anything less grand will not suffice.

The New Yorker

Either one, by itself, will not suffice.

The New York Times

But condemnation alone will not suffice.

The New York Times

For Liliana, willpower alone will not suffice.

The Guardian

But good will alone will not suffice.

The New York Times

An extra jumper will not suffice.

The Guardian - Travel

Merely defensive measures will not suffice.

The New York Times

"Inflation targeting alone will not suffice," Mr Blanchflower said.

The Economist

For the reënactment, Antonio's kayaks will not suffice.

The New Yorker

You say that opt-outs will not suffice.

The Economist

"Pleasant rhetoric will not suffice," the group said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will not suffice", ensure the context clearly indicates what standard or requirement is not being met. Specificity enhances the impact of the statement.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "will not suffice" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "won't be enough" or "isn't going to cut it" to better suit an informal setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will not suffice" functions as a negative predication, indicating that something is inadequate or fails to meet a certain requirement. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which confirms its usability in written English. The examples show it expressing that a particular action, item, or measure is insufficient.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will not suffice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey that something is inadequate or insufficient. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to express a negative predication, rejecting an action or item as failing to meet a specific standard. While suitable for various contexts, it leans towards a neutral to formal register, commonly appearing in news, scientific, and business publications. When aiming for less formal communication, consider alternative phrases such as "won't be enough".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be inadequate

Replaces 'suffice' with 'inadequate', maintaining the same negative sense of not meeting requirements.

will be insufficient

Substitutes 'suffice' with 'insufficient', offering a direct synonym for a similar level of formality.

will prove inadequate

Adds 'prove' to emphasize the eventual realization of inadequacy, indicating a future outcome.

will fall short

Uses an idiomatic expression to mean 'not reach a required standard', implying a failure to meet expectations.

won't be enough

Offers a more informal contraction of 'will not be sufficient', suitable for less formal contexts.

will be unacceptable

Shifts the focus to the unacceptability of the outcome, rather than the inadequacy of the means.

will not measure up

Implies a comparison to a standard or expectation, suggesting the subject fails to reach the required level.

will miss the mark

Suggests a failure to achieve a specific goal or target, indicating a deviation from the intended outcome.

will not cut it

Uses a colloquial expression to mean 'will not be adequate or acceptable', indicating a rejection of the subject.

will be of no use

Emphasizes the lack of utility or effectiveness of the subject, suggesting it provides no benefit.

FAQs

How can I use "will not suffice" in a sentence?

The phrase "will not suffice" indicates that something is inadequate or insufficient to meet a specific need or requirement. For example, "A simple apology "will not suffice"; restitution is also necessary."

What are some synonyms for "will not suffice"?

Alternatives to "will not suffice" include "will be inadequate", "will be insufficient", or "won't be enough", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "will not suffice" formal or informal?

"Will not suffice" tends to be more formal. In less formal settings, phrases like "won't cut it" or "won't be enough" might be more appropriate.

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

The phrases "will not suffice" and "will not be sufficient" are nearly synonymous. "Suffice" often carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone, but they are largely interchangeable.