Using 'enough'

In English, enough is a very useful word. Knowing how to use enough correctly is essential for better communication.

Try this exercise to test yourself

1. Gap-filling quiz with 12 questions

Explanation

Enough means 'as many or as much as someone needs or wants'. Enough can be used with a variety of parts of speech. 

With adjectives and adverbs

Enough always goes after the adjective or adverb it modifies:

• The coffee is hot enough to drink now.
• The parking space isn't big enough for my car.
• He didn't study hard enough for the exam.
• I woke up early enough to catch the sunrise.

With verbs

Enough goes after verbs:

• I regret I didn't study enough for the test.
• I feel my best when I drink enough during the day.

With nouns

Enough normally goes before nouns:

• I have enough money to buy the ticket.
• We have enough chairs for everyone.

As a pronoun

Enough can also be used alone (without a noun):

• Should we go buy some more snacks? There aren't enough for the party.

We use enough with of before determiners or pronouns.

• I read enough of the article to understand the main points.
• There aren't enough of us to make up a team.
• I've had enough of your excuses.