The words "enough" and "sufficient" both mean having or being as much as needed. However, there are subtle differences in how they are used. "Enough" is more common in everyday conversation and is often used informally. It focuses on the quantity needed to meet a particular requirement. "Sufficient", on the other hand, is more formal and emphasizes adequacy or the fulfillment of a need. It often appears in more formal settings like official documents or academic writing.
Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:
Enough: "I have enough money to buy the pizza." (Meaning: I have the money needed to purchase the pizza.)
Sufficient: "The evidence presented was sufficient to convict the suspect." (Meaning: The evidence was adequate to result in a conviction.)
Enough: "Is there enough cake for everyone?" (Meaning: Is there a quantity of cake that will satisfy everyone?)
Sufficient: "The resources allocated to the project were deemed sufficient." (Meaning: The resources were adequate for the needs of the project.)
Enough: "She didn't sleep enough last night." (Meaning: She lacked the necessary amount of sleep.)
Sufficient: "The patient received sufficient medication to alleviate the pain." (Meaning: The medication was adequate to relieve the pain.)
Notice how "enough" can be used with uncountable nouns (money, sleep) and countable nouns (cake), while "sufficient" often (but not always) is paired with uncountable nouns. Choosing between "enough" and "sufficient" often depends on the context and desired level of formality.
Happy learning!