wise enough

USAGE SUMMARY

"wise enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe someone who has just enough wisdom or insight to understand or do something. For example: "I'm not wise enough to solve this complex problem by myself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We weren't wise enough".

The New York Times

I'm not wise enough to guess.

University of California, Berkeley

But she's wise enough not to say it aloud.

The New York Times - Books

Which club was wise enough to scoop him up?

The Economist

Noonan and Wilkins were wise enough to add qualifiers.

The New Yorker

The doubters are merely wise enough to have doubts.

Independent

Mr Ferris is wise enough not to teach a lesson.

The Economist

The NFL was wise enough that time to back off.

The Washington Post

But Lindsay was wise enough to stay clear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Prior is modest, and wise, enough to ignore the hype.

The Guardian - Sport

"How come in 1948 the U.N. was wise enough to create the State of Israel, and in 2011 it is not wise enough to create a Palestinian state?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wise enough" to indicate that someone possesses the minimum amount of wisdom needed for a specific situation or decision. For example, "She was "wise enough" to avoid the trap".

Common error

Avoid using "wise enough" when describing someone with exceptional wisdom. Use adjectives like "brilliant", "insightful", or "profound" instead, as "wise enough" implies a sufficient, but not necessarily exceptional, level of understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wise enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that someone or something possesses a sufficient level of wisdom or understanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wise enough" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that someone possesses the necessary wisdom or understanding for a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its frequent usage across diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While related phrases like "sufficiently wise" and "smart enough" offer subtle variations in meaning, "wise enough" remains a reliable and commonly used expression. To make the most of "wise enough", focus on using it when indicating adequate, but not necessarily exceptional, understanding, and be mindful of overstating someone's wisdom in situations that call for stronger adjectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sufficiently wise

Replaces "enough" with "sufficiently", emphasizing the adequate level of wisdom.

smart enough

Substitutes "wise" with "smart", indicating intelligence or cleverness.

intelligent enough

Replaces "wise" with "intelligent", focusing on the capacity for understanding and knowledge.

prudent enough

Substitutes "wise" with "prudent", emphasizing caution and good judgment.

astute enough

Replaces "wise" with "astute", highlighting shrewdness and insight.

shrewd enough

Substitutes "wise" with "shrewd", emphasizing practical intelligence and resourcefulness.

discerning enough

Replaces "wise" with "discerning", highlighting the ability to judge well.

sensible enough

Substitutes "wise" with "sensible", emphasizing practicality and good sense.

sagacious enough

Replaces "wise" with "sagacious", indicating profound wisdom and insight.

perceptive enough

Substitutes "wise" with "perceptive", highlighting the ability to understand or notice things easily.

FAQs

How can I use "wise enough" in a sentence?

Use "wise enough" to express that someone possesses adequate wisdom or judgment to handle a situation. For instance, "He was "wise enough" to see through their lies".

What are some alternatives to "wise enough"?

Consider using synonyms like "sufficiently wise", "smart enough", or "intelligent enough" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "wise enough" and "smart enough"?

While similar, "wise enough" often implies experience and good judgment, while "smart enough" focuses more on intelligence and quick thinking. The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I not use "wise enough"?

Avoid using "wise enough" when describing someone with exceptional or profound wisdom. In such cases, adjectives like "sagacious" or "astute" may be more appropriate.