would be enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would be enough' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when expressing the idea that a certain amount of something will be more than adequate. For example: "A single slice of cake would be enough; I'm not very hungry right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

General Conversation

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That would be enough.

The New York Times - Books

Four would be enough.

The New York Times

Only history would be enough.

The New York Times - Sports

Normally that would be enough.

The New York Times

It would be enough.

The New Yorker

Either would be enough.

The New York Times

Two of us would be enough.

The New Yorker

Reintegration would be enough.

The Guardian - Sport

If it were, exposure would be enough.

The New York Times

With sweat equity, it would be enough.

The New York Times

You would think that would be enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is sufficient for. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple conditional clauses using "would be enough", as this can create convoluted and hard-to-follow sentences. Break down complex ideas into simpler statements for improved readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be enough" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, expressing sufficiency or adequacy. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, from sports to personal narratives, reinforcing its role in indicating that a certain condition or action would meet a particular need or requirement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be enough" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate sufficiency or adequacy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to everyday conversations. While its register is generally neutral, awareness of context is still important to ensure appropriate usage. Remember to ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and to avoid overusing the phrase in complex sentences. Common alternatives include ""would suffice"" and ""would be sufficient"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would suffice

Replaces "be enough" with a more formal verb indicating adequacy.

would be sufficient

Uses a synonym for "enough", conveying a slightly more formal tone.

would do the trick

An idiomatic expression meaning "would achieve the desired result".

would be adequate

Employs a different adjective to express that something is satisfactory.

would get the job done

Focuses on the completion of a task as being sufficient.

would meet the needs

Highlights the satisfaction of requirements as being adequate.

would measure up

Indicates that something would reach a required standard.

would pass muster

An idiomatic way of saying something would meet approval.

would cut it

Informal way of saying something is acceptable or adequate.

would go a long way

Suggests that even a small amount would be very helpful or sufficient.

FAQs

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

You can use "would be enough" to express that a certain quantity, action, or quality is sufficient for a particular purpose. For example, "A simple apology "would be enough" to resolve the conflict."

What are some alternatives to saying "would be enough"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "would suffice", "would be sufficient", or "would do the trick" as alternatives to "would be enough".

Is "would have been enough" grammatically correct?

Yes, "would have been enough" is grammatically correct. It's used to express that something would have been sufficient in the past, often implying that it's no longer the case. For example, "If you had apologized then, that "would have been enough"."

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

"Would be enough" implies a hypothetical or conditional situation, suggesting something could be sufficient. "Is enough" indicates that something currently meets the required amount or standard. For instance, "If we had more resources, this "would be enough"" versus "This "is enough" to complete the task now."