Special adverb ‘enough’

(Using the special adverb ‘enough’ in English)

Table of contents – special adverb ‘enough’

On this page you will find the following:

  1. Particularities of ‘enough’
  2. Further explanations and exercises

What are the particularities when using ‘enough’?

The adverb enough belongs to the group of English adverbs of degree, just as ‘almost, completely’, or ‘extremely’ also do. However, it has peculiarities in its position in the sentence, i.e. the word order. While most adverbs of degree when they serve as a grammatical modifier (attribute) occupy the position before the word they qualify, ‘enough’ is always placed after. However, it can also be an adjective and as such be used before a noun or other words that go with adjectives. Compare the following:

  • As an adverbial attribute, ‘enough’ usually comes after the adverb or adjective it modifies – as opposed to the other adverbs of degree, which typically precede their antecedent:
    • “Hanna is old enough to drive a car.”
      • In this sentence, ‘enough’ qualifies the adjective ‘old’.
    • “You’re driving fast enough to get there in time.”
      • Here, it qualifies the adverb ‘fast’.
    • For comparison, consider the position of other adverbs of degree:
      • “Our new teacher is very old.”
      • “By plane, you can travel so fast.”
  • Alternatively, ‘enough’ can also be employed as an adjective. If this is the case, it precedes the word it qualifies, which is often a noun:
    • “They have enough money to buy a boat.”
      • In this statement, ‘enough’ is an adjective and modifies the noun ‘money’.

Further explanations related to the ‘Special adverb ‘enough’’

The following explanations relate to the topic ‘Particularities when using the special adverb of degree ‘enough’’ and might be helpful as well: