Enough

enough indefinite determiners indefinite pronouns intensifiers

'Enough' is an English word that you may have heard several times. It has three functions which we will cover in this lesson.

Enough has three functions in the English language that we are going to learn in this lesson.

Functions of Enough

1.'Enough' as a Determiner

Use

'Enough' as a determiner modifies a noun and it means 'equal to what is needed, as much as something is needed' Look:

Have you got enough books to lend?

That's enough money for this trip; let's get started.

Position in a Sentence

'Enough' as a determiner stands before a noun or a noun phrase. It does not matter if the noun is countable or uncountable. For example:

That's enough money for this trip; let's get started.

'Enough' stands before the uncountable noun 'money.'

Have you got enough books to lend?

'Enough' stands before the countable noun 'books.'

2. 'Enough' as an Adverb

Use

'Enough' as an adverb is used to modify an adjective, an adverb, or a verb.

'Enough' modifies an adjective or an adverb and means 'in the amount needed, to the necessary degree':

Are you tired enough to go away?

modifying the adjective

You should drive carefully enough tonight.

modifying the adverb

'Enough' modifies a verb and means 'to a reasonable extent':

He shouted enough.

I talked about it enough.

Position in a Sentence

If 'enough' as an adverb modifies another adverb or an adjective, it comes after them.
If it modifies a verb, it can stand at the end of the sentence after the verb.
Remember that we should use to-infinitive after the adverb 'enough.'

I talked about it enough.

'Enough' modifies the verb.

You should drive carefully enough tonight.

'Enough' comes after the adverb.

3. 'Enough' as a Pronoun

Use

'Enough' as a pronoun replaces a noun and can act as a subject, an object, etc. It is used to show an amount that provides what is needed or is enough.'

There's enough for me.

'Enough' is the object here.

Do you have enough to drink?

'Enough' probably refers to some types of drink.

Position in a Sentence

'Enough' as a pronoun replaces the noun it refers to and it can act as the subject or the object of the sentence, look:

I am full, that's enough.

Difference Between the Adverb 'Enough' and Pronoun 'Enough'

Note that the adverb 'enough' that modifies a verb can be left out without any changes to the meaning of the whole sentence, while the pronoun 'enough' completes the verb or the sentence and cannot be left out.

I have enough, thanks.

'Enough' as a pronoun cannot be removed.

I talked about it enough.

'Enough' as an adverb can be removed.

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