Grammar · Free lesson
Enough chairs, quiet enough: where does enough go?
You are choosing a room for a discussion. You need a seat for everyone and a room where everyone can hear. Those are two different things to check.
Professor Scott MendozaMeaning in this lesson
enough
As much or as many as the situation requires.
Example
“We have enough chairs, but the room is not quiet enough.”
Everyone can have a seat, but the noise level is unsuitable for the discussion.
The short answer
Put enough before a noun when you mean a sufficient amount: “enough chairs.” Put it after an adjective when you mean a sufficient degree: “quiet enough.” Ask whether you are talking about how many or how much, or how quiet, big or strong something is.
Enough goes next to the thing you are measuring.
A noun names the amount or items: enough time, enough chairs. An adjective describes a quality: quiet enough, comfortable enough. Enough means sufficient for the need in that situation. A room can have enough chairs and still be too noisy for a discussion.
Check the amount and the quality.
There are eight people and ten chairs. Can we use this room?
We have enough chairs. Let’s check whether it is quiet enough.
Enough chairs checks the number of seats. Quiet enough checks the noise level.
Choose the right position
Find the noun
Chairs are things you can count: enough chairs.
Find the adjective
Quiet describes the room: quiet enough.
Check what is needed
Enough for eight people may be insufficient for twenty.
Try it now
Check what you’ve learned.
Read all answers and explanations
Complete: “We have ___ for all eight guests.”
enough chairsChairs is a noun. Use enough chairs to describe a sufficient number.
Complete: “The room is ___ for our discussion.”
quiet enoughQuiet is an adjective. Put enough after it: quiet enough.
“We have enough chairs, but the room is not quiet enough.” What is the problem?
The room is too noisy for the purpose.The statement says the number of chairs is sufficient. The noise level is the problem.
Put it into practice
Repair one part of the room report.
The room is suitable for a discussion, and there are enough seats. Fix the adjective pattern while preserving both facts.
The room is enough quiet, and we have enough chairs.
See a model answer
The room is quiet enough, and we have enough chairs.
A useful edit fixes the problem without changing the information that was already correct.
A little more clarity
Common questions
A few useful details before you move on.
Can enough come before an adjective and a noun together?
Yes, when it describes the number or amount of the whole noun phrase. Enough large cups asks about the number of large cups. Large enough cups asks whether the cups’ size is sufficient.
“We need enough large cups for twelve guests.”
Can I say “That’s enough” without a noun?
Yes, when the situation makes the amount clear. The listener does not need you to repeat what you are counting or measuring.
Someone pours rice: “That’s enough, thanks.”
Take it into your day
Check a real plan: Do you have enough time? Is the place quiet enough? Match the position to the word you are describing.
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