a modest ability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest ability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's skills or talents in a way that suggests they are not overly impressive but still noteworthy. Example: "Despite her modest ability in painting, her artwork has a unique charm that captivates many."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

BIOMEDICAL SOLUTIONS The body has a modest ability to repair DNA damage from small doses of radiation.

The New York Times

"Hotels have a modest ability now to increase their average daily rate, but they can increase their bottom line by trying to institute more add-on, ancillary fees," he said.

The New York Times

Though a player of a modest ability, he was on the national team and also captained Al-Ahly Tripoli, which for years had been embroiled in a dispute with the Benghazi club over who had the right to the "Al-Ahly" name.

The Guardian

It is interesting to note that such a modest ability of CT 4 to induce leakage of the POPC/SGC5% liposomes contradicts the fluorescence data reported earlier for CT A3 [7].

Plosone

Individual symptoms and signs have a modest ability to raise the pretest-risk of UTI.

BMC Family Practice

One advantage is that Ciona adults show a modest ability to self-fertilize.

Genetics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

A person with modest ability who tries harder is in greater demand than a genius who is lazy and uninterested.

Los Angeles Times

To be sure, even if At Home controls the first screen its users see, any At Home user with only a modest technical ability could use the cable modem to gain access to America Online or any other Internet service at high speeds.

The New York Times

The modest effect of the inhibitory NRG-1 antibody could be explained by a modest binding ability of the antibody as well as ongoing proliferation promotion exerted by additional cytokines in the CAF-CM.

British Journal of Cancer

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05322.004 To screen for new KDAC candidates in the E. coli proteome, we prepared separate substrate slides for three E. coli proteins, namely NhoA, RutR, and YceC, which were chosen because they have a rather high endogenous acetylation level and because CobB exhibits only modest ability to deacetylate them (Zhang et al., 2013b).

eLife

It has also shown modest ability to predict postoperative cardiac complications, and been an important component of models designed to predict postoperative mortality and morbidity.

British Journal of Anaesthesia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's abilities, use "a modest ability" to convey a realistic assessment without being overly negative. It's suitable when acknowledging potential while setting expectations appropriately.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest ability" as a veiled insult. Ensure your intention is to be factual and supportive, not dismissive. Provide constructive feedback instead of simply labeling the ability as modest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest ability" functions as a descriptor, typically used to qualify the noun it precedes. It indicates that the level of skill or capability is present but not particularly high or exceptional. Ludwig's examples confirm its adjectival role in modifying nouns.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest ability" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for describing a skill or talent that is present but not exceptional. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usefulness in various contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news media sources, indicating its neutrality and wide applicability. Related phrases include "limited capability" and "moderate skill level", offering subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, it's important to be factual and supportive, avoiding any implication of veiled criticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited capability

Replaces "ability" with "capability", emphasizing the boundary of the skill.

a moderate skill level

Substitutes "modest ability" with a more explicit description of the skill's level.

a fair degree of competence

Uses "competence" instead of "ability", suggesting a satisfactory but not exceptional level.

a basic aptitude

Replaces "ability" with "aptitude", highlighting a natural inclination toward something at a fundamental level.

a rudimentary talent

Suggests a talent that is undeveloped or at an early stage.

a slight capacity

Emphasizes the limited amount of potential or skill someone possesses.

an ordinary proficiency

Indicates a common or unremarkable level of skill.

an average competence

Highlights that the skill is at the typical or expected level.

a passable skill

Implies the skill is just good enough to meet a requirement or standard.

a workable level of expertise

Suggests the skill is sufficient to get the job done, even if not performed excellently.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest ability" to describe someone's skillset, such as: "Despite having "a modest ability" in mathematics, she excelled in creative writing."

What are some alternatives to "a modest ability"?

Alternatives include "limited capability", "moderate skill level", or "basic aptitude" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "modest ability" or "limited ability"?

"Modest ability" is generally more tactful, implying potential for growth, whereas "limited ability" suggests a more restrictive constraint. Choose the phrase that best reflects the situation and your intent.

What does it mean when someone describes my skill as "a modest ability"?

It typically means they acknowledge you have some skill, but there's room for improvement. It's a neutral assessment, not necessarily negative, and can serve as constructive feedback.