idioms: So X as to Y vs. X enough to Y

[josephgreer]

On a recent MGMAT SC question I came across these two idioms from which to choose.

The explanation given for the subtle differences between these two idioms escaped me. Can someone explain this further?
What's the difference between these two sentences?

1. The temperature outside was cold enough to cause frostbite.
2. The temperature outside was so cold as to cause frostbite.

Here was the explanation given (I've slightly rephrased as the question is on one of the CAT exams):
=====================================================================
"[sic]) There is a subtle distinction between the idiom "so x as to y" and "x is enough to y."

The original sentence uses the idiom "so x as to y" to indicate that characteristic x is so extreme in the particular case that y results. In contrast, the idiom "x is enough to y" is used when x is the criteria by which an ability to achieve y is measured. Thus, if a sentence stated that "The temperature outside was cold enough to cause frostbite." this would convey a different meaning: that the temperature is the criteria by which one measures the ability to cause frostbite."

The explanation given does not clarify the difference for me.

[christiancryan]

The difference between these idioms is very slight, to be sure.

For one thing, "X enough to Y" has a little more of a connotation of intention -- for example, "I ate enough to win the eating contest" is preferable to "I ate so much as to win the eating contest." In the former case, I intended to win the contest, and I ate enough to ensure that. In the latter case, I could have simply been on an eating binge, and by accident I wound up winning the contest. However, in the case you specify, the difference isn't one of intention. In the first case, "The temperature was cold enough to cause frostbite," I'm emphasizing the outcome -- in a way, I'm defining two temperature ranges, one that causes frostbite and one that doesn't, and I'm saying, we're in the former. But if I say "The temperature was so cold as to cause frostbite," in a sense I'm just tossing out the fact that frostbite would be caused in this case, but I'm not defining a threshold as I am with the "cold enough to cause frostbite."

However, I wouldn't spend much time on this distinction. Recent OG material doesn't uphold this issue, and so we're going to get rid of it in our next iteration of the Strategy Guide. The more important distinction is this: from our research, the GMAT seems to hate "enough that" but likes "enough to", whereas it likes "so that" and in fact doesn't really like "so as to". Hope this is helpful!

[RonPurewal]

Yeah, I don't think that a real GMAT question would ever turn on this difference. Still, think about the way you'd use these expressions in common language: the "so.. as to" emphasizes the extreme nature of whatever you're talking about. The "enough" is implying that you're just over the threshold of something, but not implying any sort of extreme quality.

For instance:
The ribbon I bought was long enough to wrap fully around the package with a few inches left over.
In this sentence, there is nothing particularly extreme about the length of the ribbon (unless the package happens to be Paul Bunyan-sized, but we aren't told anything like that). Instead, we're simply saying that the ribbon's length exceeds a certain threshold: the length required to make it around the package.

The ribbon I bought was so long as to wrap around my entire house.
Here, "long enough" just wouldn't capture the essence of what we're trying to say, which is that the ribbon is ridiculously long.

[GiangH492]

Dear Mr Ron,

I found that on #39 OG, the construction of 'so X as to Y' is not a correct idiom. Can you please give me an example in OG that states 'so X as to Y' is idiomatic. I am very confused about the usage of this construction.

Thanks.

[RonPurewal]

this is an official problem from GMAT Prep:
https://www.manhattanprep.com/gmat/foru ... t5505.html

[RonPurewal]

also... there are several editions of the OG.
i looked at #39 in the most recent edition, and there is nothing resembling this construction in that problem. what edition are you looking at?

[GiangH492]

also... there are several editions of the OG.
i looked at #39 in the most recent edition, and there is nothing resembling this construction in that problem. what edition are you looking at?

Dear Mr Ron,

I am using OG 13th Edition. In the Answer part, there is a line in #39 SC question saying that the construction 'so X as to Y' is undiomatic.

[redacted]

[RonPurewal]

NEVER reproduce OG material on this forum, please.
please follow the forum rules. thanks.

the problem isn't with that part; the problem is the "so [adj] is it". that's not a construction that actually exists in english.
on that point, the answer key is just incorrect.

remember—the OG answer keys are usually incomplete, and quite often incorrect. (they're not written by the same people who write the problems; they're clearly written by people of much lesser talent.) this is one instance in which the key is ... just plain incorrect.

[GiangH492]

NEVER reproduce OG material on this forum, please.
please follow the forum rules. thanks.

the problem isn't with that part; the problem is the "so [adj] is it". that's not a construction that actually exists in english.
on that point, the answer key is just incorrect.

remember—the OG answer keys are usually incomplete, and quite often incorrect. (they're not written by the same people who write the problems; they're clearly written by people of much lesser talent.) this is one instance in which the key is ... just plain incorrect.

Thank you so much Mr. Ron. I feel so too because in many parts of OG, I found the explanation quite confusing.

[RonPurewal]

yep—that's not where they employ their best talent.

[ElaS308]

Hi Ron,

Is enough X that Y correct idiom?

[RonPurewal]

Hi Ron,

Is enough X that Y correct idiom?

no, that's not ordinarily an acceptable usage ("enough to..." is how that sort of thing is written).