a modest addition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest addition" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or humble increase or enhancement to something. Example: "The new features in the software are a modest addition that improves user experience without overwhelming the interface."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And no sonata has a rear facade where a modest addition might be discretely built.

The New York Times

"The civil commitment statute before us represents a modest addition," he added, comparing it to medical quarantine.

The New York Times

"It's a modest addition to taxation for folks who make a half-million or more, but it would make a huge strategic difference for our schools".

The New York Times

But it proposes only a modest addition of at most 100,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, down from more than half a million square feet in an earlier proposal.

The New York Times

The position earned Sharapova a symbolic $1 salary, a modest addition to the glut of highly lucrative contracts that, prior to her ban, made her the world's highest-paid female athlete for 11 successive years until she was deposed by Serena Williams this year.

The Guardian

Salary Is Not 'Modest' To the Sports Editor: Re "For Perkins, a Modest Addition to a Full Coaching Résumé," Aug. 29: Ray Perkins, a former N.F.L. coach, was hired to coach a junior-college football team in Mississippi for $100,000 a year.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In addition, a modest increase in DLG-1::dsRed expression (1.5- to 1.7-fold) was observed in both the epidermis and gastrointestinal tract of pha-1 (0 ) mutants, whereas no obvious changes were detected with SAX-7 GFP. SAX-7 GFP

Genetics

In addition, we found a modest increase in the use of clearcuts over the 6 years following harvesting by juvenile wood frogs from experimental pools (from an 8-fold difference between forest and clearcut treatments in the first year post-clearcutting to a 3-fold difference during years 3 5).

Forest Ecology and Management

It also suggests that a modest steam addition is preferable for both the reforming performance and the life span of the fixed bed.

Chemical Engineering Science

What the Clubman adds is space, with the modest addition of 2.5 inches of knee room in back and 50percentt more cargo space behind the rear seat.

The New York Times

But purists might consider even those modest additions a little fussy.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest addition" when you want to downplay the significance of an increase or improvement. It's useful for managing expectations or avoiding exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest addition" when the increase or improvement is actually substantial. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

"A modest addition" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes something that has been added but is not particularly large or impactful. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest addition" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small or limited increase or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It's most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts and serves to manage expectations by highlighting the limited impact of the change. Alternatives include "a small increment" or "a slight increase". Remember to avoid overstating the impact when using this phrase to maintain accuracy and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small increment

Emphasizes the small size of the increase.

a slight increase

Focuses on the marginal nature of the growth.

a minor enhancement

Highlights the improvement, but on a small scale.

a limited augmentation

Stresses the restricted extent of the expansion.

a marginal adjustment

Indicates a minimal change or modification.

a gentle expansion

Suggests a gradual and not very significant growth.

a subtle refinement

Points out a delicate and barely noticeable improvement.

a contained development

Emphasizes the controlled and limited nature of the advancement.

a tempered escalation

Implies a measured and not excessive increase.

a restrained upgrade

Highlights the controlled and moderate nature of the improvement.

FAQs

How can I incorporate "a modest addition" into a sentence?

You can use "a modest addition" to describe a small increase or improvement, such as, "The new software update represents "a modest addition" to the existing features".

What are some alternatives to "a modest addition"?

Alternatives include "a slight increase", "a small increment", or "a minor enhancement" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "a modest addition" instead of "a significant addition"?

Use "a modest addition" when the change is small and doesn't dramatically alter the overall outcome. "A significant addition" implies a more substantial impact.

Is it ever wrong to describe something as "a modest addition"?

Yes, if the actual change is large or impactful, calling it "a modest addition" would be inaccurate and potentially misleading.