A1determiner1K

Enough

UK /["/ɪˈnʌf/"]/US /["/ɪˈnʌf/"]/

Definition

used before plural or uncountable nouns to mean ‘as many or as much as somebody needs or wants’

In simple words: sufficient or adequate amount

Examples

  • Have you made enough copies?
  • Is there enough room for me?
  • I didn't have enough clothes to last a week.
  • Don't ask me to do it. I've got enough problems as it is.
  • There was food enough for all.

Usage notes

Use 'enough' to indicate that something is adequate. Avoid in overly formal writing. 'Enough' can modify nouns or adjectives.

Grammar pattern

enough + noun/adjective

Memory hint

Think of 'enough' like 'in rough' – you have just enough in a rough situation.

Collocations

  • enough time
  • enough space
  • enough money
  • enough information
  • good enough

Synonyms

  • sufficient

Antonyms

  • not enough
  • insufficient
  • inadequate

Common mistakes

  • Using 'enough' before verbs (e.g., 'enough eat') instead of after (e.g., 'eat enough')
  • Confusing 'enough' with 'too' (e.g., 'too much' means excessive)
  • Incorrectly placing 'enough' in the sentence (e.g., 'I have money enough' instead of 'I have enough money')