would not suffice

USAGE SUMMARY

'would not suffice' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say something is not enough or adequate. For example: The two dollars I had in my pocket would not suffice for the cost of the movie ticket.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

One day would not suffice.

The New York Times

Merely winning would not suffice.

The New Yorker

But words alone would not suffice here.

The New York Times

In this task repression alone would not suffice.

The Economist

That set-up would not suffice for "Dinner With Demons".

The New York Times

But, to actually do it, a wand would not suffice.

The New Yorker

But he was adamant that a financial settlement would not suffice.

The New York Times

In an instant, he knew that a life spent accumulating money would not suffice.

The New York Times

Thus, a vague threat that someday the prisoner might be killed would not suffice.

The New York Times

Mere retelling of Fitzgerald's college exploits would not suffice for Walt Harris.

The New York Times - Sports

Posting it on the Internet would not suffice, his office said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would not suffice", ensure the context clearly establishes the standard or requirement against which something is being deemed insufficient. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "would not suffice" in highly informal settings. Simpler phrases like "wouldn't be enough" or "wouldn't cut it" are often more appropriate and sound less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would not suffice" functions as a modal expression indicating that something is inadequate or insufficient to meet a particular need or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would not suffice" is a versatile phrase used to express that something is inadequate or insufficient. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. While primarily neutral to formal in register, it's essential to choose simpler alternatives in informal settings. When employing "would not suffice", ensure that the context clearly defines the standards of requirements to ensure clarity and strengthen the message. By understanding its nuances and application, writers can effectively convey the notion of inadequacy in various writing contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would not be enough

A more direct and simpler way of expressing that something is not sufficient.

would be inadequate

Replaces "suffice" with a more formal synonym, focusing on the lack of required quality or quantity.

would be insufficient

Similar to 'inadequate', but emphasizes the lack of necessary resources or capabilities.

would fall short

Emphasizes the failure to reach a required standard or expectation.

would prove inadequate

Highlights the eventual realization that something is not adequate.

would lack what is needed

Focuses on the specific missing elements that make something insufficient.

would fail to meet the requirements

More explicitly states that something does not satisfy specific criteria.

would be unavailing

Emphasizes the futility of relying on something that will not achieve the desired outcome.

would not cut it

An informal way of saying something is not good enough.

would not measure up

Suggests a comparison against a certain standard, where the subject fails to reach it.

FAQs

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

Use "would not suffice" to indicate that something is inadequate or insufficient for a specific purpose. For example, "A simple apology "would not suffice"; more concrete action was needed."

What are some alternatives to saying "would not suffice"?

Alternatives include "would be inadequate", "would be insufficient", or "would not be enough", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "would not suffice" formal or informal?

"Would not suffice" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, phrases like "would not cut it" might be more suitable.

What is the difference between "would not suffice" and "would not be adequate"?

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "would not suffice" implies a slightly higher degree of formality than "would not be adequate". Both indicate a lack of sufficiency.