What is enough? Pronunciation and usage in English

enough means . Learn how to pronounce and use enough through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of enough

enoughdeterminer

/ɪˈnʌf/
Definition & pronunciation of enough

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "enough" in English. It's a tricky one because it doesn't follow typical English pronunciation rules! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ɪˈnʌf/ (This is the IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet – representation)

Let's break that down further:

  1. ɪ - This sounds like the "i" in "bit" or "sit." It’s a short, quick vowel sound.

  2. ˈnʌf - This is the tricky part!

    • nʌf - This is a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). It sounds like "nuhf." Imagine saying "nuh" and then quickly transitioning to "f." It’s a little like the "u" in "but" but shorter.

Here's how it sounds in words:

  • "I have enough apples." (Emphasis on the “ɪ” part, and a quick “nuhf” after)

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • “en-ough”: Many people pronounce it "en-ough," separating the words. This is incorrect.
  • “enough” with an “uh” sound at the beginning: People often try to make it sound more like "a-nuff." It needs that initial short "i" sound.

Resources to help you hear it:

To summarize: Think “i-nuhf.” Listen to the examples provided above, and practice saying it out loud.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some more example sentences?
  • Compare it to the pronunciation of a similar-sounding word (like "one") to highlight the differences?

Usage and examples with the word enough in English

Let's break down how to use the word "enough" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with a few different ways of being used!

1. As an Adverb (Expressing Sufficiency)

This is the most common usage. “Enough” indicates that there is a sufficient quantity or amount of something. It answers the question: “Is there enough?”

  • Example 1: “There isn’t enough food in the fridge.” (Meaning: Is there a sufficient amount of food?)
  • Example 2: “I have enough money to buy a new car.” (Meaning: Do I have a sufficient amount of money?)
  • Example 3: “We need enough time to finish the project.” (Meaning: Is there enough time?)
  • Example 4: “He’s worked enough for today.” (Meaning: Has he worked a sufficient amount of time?)

2. As a Determiner (With Nouns - Modifying a Quantity)

“Enough” can come before a noun to specify a quantity. It’s like saying “a sufficient amount of.”

  • Example 1: “Enough water, please.” (Meaning: A sufficient amount of water)
  • Example 2: “I need enough sleep.” (Meaning: A sufficient amount of sleep)
  • Example 3: “There's enough room in the car.” (Meaning: There's a sufficient amount of room)

3. In Phrases (Common Constructions)

Here are some common phrases using “enough”:

  • "Enough is enough!" – This expresses frustration and a limit being reached. It means "I've had enough!" or "This is unacceptable!"
  • "Enough said." – This indicates that you’ve said all you need to say, often with a dismissive tone.
  • "That's enough!" – A command to stop something, usually something undesirable.
  • "Not enough" – The opposite of "enough."

4. Questions with “Enough”

“Enough” is frequently used to form questions asking about quantity or sufficiency.

  • “Is there enough coffee?”
  • “Do you have enough time?”
  • “Are there enough seats?”

Key Points & Nuances

  • Emphasis: "Enough" emphasizes that something just meets a requirement, it's not more than needed.
  • Contrast: It often contrasts with a lack of something ("not enough").
  • Formal vs. Informal: “Enough” is generally considered fairly formal. In very casual conversation, “I’ve had enough” or “That’s enough” is often used instead.

Let's test your understanding!

Fill in the blanks with "enough" or "not enough":

  1. “We don’t have _______ sandwiches for everyone.”
  2. “I’m tired. I need _______ rest.”
  3. “There’s _______ space on the bus.”
  4. “_______ is enough! Stop arguing!”

Answers:

  1. enough
  2. enough
  3. enough
  4. Enough is enough!

Would you like me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain a specific nuance of using "enough"?
  • Practice creating sentences with "enough"?

Synonyms for the word enough

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