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Preposition after adjective

sufficient for, in, to, as or on?

Sufficient is most commonly followed by for or to. Other prepositions usually introduce separate information rather than acting as the main complement.

Quick answer

Which prepositions are used with sufficient?

Use sufficient for to show purpose or need, and sufficient to before an action or result. In, as, and on usually belong to wider sentence structures instead of fixed adjective patterns.

There is enough food sufficient for everyone.
The evidence was sufficient to prove the claim.
The resources were sufficient in some areas but lacking in others.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
sufficient for + purpose or person

Enough for a need

Use for when something meets a requirement or serves a purpose.

The room is sufficient for six guests.
This budget should be sufficient for the project.
2
sufficient to + verb

Enough to achieve a result

Use to before an infinitive describing what can happen.

The data were sufficient to support the conclusion.
Her explanation was sufficient to calm the audience.
3
sufficient in + area

Enough within a category

In may describe the area where something is adequate.

Supplies were sufficient in rural regions.
The report is sufficient in detail for publication.
4
sufficient as + role

Adequate in a role or function

As can describe the function something serves.

The note was sufficient as a warning.
This document is sufficient as proof of address.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
sufficient for
The funds are sufficient for the repairs.
Enough for a purpose or need.
sufficient to
The evidence is sufficient to convict him.
Enough to cause or allow a result.
sufficient in
The supply is sufficient in quantity.
Enough within a category or quality.
sufficient as
The letter is sufficient as confirmation.
Adequate in a particular role.
sufficient on
The article is sufficient on basic history.
On introduces a topic rather than a standard adjective complement.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for before a verb

Use to plus verb after sufficient.

✕ The evidence was sufficient for prove the case. ✓ The evidence was sufficient to prove the case.

Using on as the main complement

On usually introduces a topic, not the main adjective pattern.

✕ The material is sufficient on beginners. ✓ The material is sufficient for beginners.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The salary is sufficient ___ a comfortable life.
2. The evidence was sufficient ___ reopen the case.
3. The information is sufficient ___ detail.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common pattern with sufficient?

Sufficient for and sufficient to are the most widely used patterns.

Can sufficient be followed by a verb?

Yes. Use sufficient to plus infinitive, such as sufficient to explain the delay.

Is sufficient on correct?

Only when on introduces a separate topic, not as the main complement after sufficient.

sacred-to-in-by-of, for "sad for" or "sad about"? "safe for", "safe from" or "safe in"? sanguine about, in, of, on or for? "satisfactory to" or "satisfactory for"? satisfied with, of, by, in or on? "satisfying for" or "satisfying to"? scarce in, for, at, on or of? scared of, to, about, for or by? "scary for" or "scary to"? "scathing about", "scathing in" or "scathing of"? "sceptical about" or "sceptical of"?

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