Modest budget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Modest budget" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a budget that is limited or not extravagant, often in the context of planning or financial discussions. Example: "We need to plan our event carefully, as we are working with a modest budget this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It has a modest budget for freelancers.

The Economist

The modest budget did not allow for multiple iterations.

The New York Times

His rumbustious 1977 directorial debut had grossed over $100m – an enormous return on its modest budget.

The Guardian - Film

In a small country with a modest budget, he played extremely high stakes, and won.

The New Yorker

He announced a modest budget surplus and a steady drop in unemployment.

The New York Times

Congressional committees have not begun to examine the proposals and the modest budget increases for NASA.

The New York Times - Science

The first agreement called for the closing of 16 banks and required a modest budget surplus.

The New York Times

This troupe and its inventive director, Albert Bergeret, accomplish a great deal on a modest budget.

The New York Times

"The house was a mess and we had a modest budget".

The New York Times

Their already modest budget will have to shrink from €46m to €40m next season.

The Guardian - Sport

"This collection has been assembled on a comparatively modest budget," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In project proposals, clearly state that you are operating on a "modest budget" to manage expectations and justify resource allocation decisions.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the budget limitations by using phrases like "extremely tight budget" when "modest budget" is more accurate. Overstating can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest budget" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "budget". It describes the size or extent of a financial plan. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest budget" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates limited financial resources. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide applicability. It's most commonly found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. When writing, use this phrase to set realistic expectations and demonstrate responsible resource management. Consider alternatives like "limited budget" or "small budget" to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Limited budget

Focuses on the restriction aspect more directly.

Small budget

Emphasizes the size of the budget.

Tight budget

Highlights the difficulty in managing the budget.

Budget constraints

Highlights the limitations imposed by the budget.

Restricted funds

Uses more formal language.

Limited resources

Broader, encompassing more than just financial limitations.

Shoestring budget

Indicates a very minimal budget.

Economical budget

Focuses on being frugal and cost-effective.

Frugal spending plan

Emphasizes the planning and careful management of expenses.

Lean financial plan

Similar to economical, but emphasizes efficiency.

FAQs

How can I use "modest budget" in a sentence?

You can use "modest budget" to describe financial constraints in projects or personal finance, for example, "Despite the "modest budget", we achieved significant results".

What's a good alternative to "modest budget"?

Alternatives include "limited budget", "small budget", or "tight budget", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "modest budget" or "frugal budget"?

"Modest budget" simply states the budget is not large, while "frugal budget" implies careful and economical spending. Choose based on whether you're describing the size or the management style.

What does it mean to operate on a "modest budget"?

Operating on a "modest budget" means having limited financial resources and needing to prioritize spending and find cost-effective solutions.