a modest adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest adjustment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a small or minor change that is being proposed or made. Example: "After reviewing the report, I believe a modest adjustment to the budget would improve our overall strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

All states use a version of this "experience rating" to set unemployment taxes; Massachusetts under Mr. Romney moved from a modest adjustment to one of the steepest slopes.

The New York Times

Consolidation measures amounting to between 5% and 6% of GDP are planned in France, Italy, Spain and the UK, while only a modest adjustment is likely in Germany and Austria.

The Guardian - Opinion

As of Tuesday, the forecast model — which incorporated a modest adjustment for the voter ID law that has now been reversed — gives Mr. Obama a 97.7 percent of winning the state's electoral votes on Nov. 6.

The New York Times

It's often a modest adjustment, with rhythm and harmony left unchanged: the band's sturdy debut album, "Pretend It's the End of the World" (Hot Cup), from last year, was more striking for its fealty than its liberties, though there were enough of those to go around.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The good news is this is a relatively modest adjustment to what had been an overheated market, and it improves affordability of houses for many buyers, said Patrick O'Keefe, director of research at the accounting and consulting firm of J.H. Cohn in Roseland.

The New York Times

There is an irony in Mr Rutte's predicament: his government was the most strident in demanding budget cuts and reforms elsewhere, and yet has fallen apart over a more modest adjustment than those imposed on Greece and Spain.There is something else even more disturbing.

The Economist

The trial was designed and analysed as an individually randomised trial, but practice variation probably makes a modest difference: adjustment for practice as a covariate did not alter the inferences, and adjustment for clustering by practice led to slightly reduced significance for symptom severity in the clinical score group but slightly increased significance for symptom resolution.

British Medical Journal

Is it so unreasonable for Britain, a stalwart ally, to ask for this modest adjustment?" Critics also disapprove of the European Arrest Warrant (EAW), which allows fast-track extraditions on the assumption that standards of justice are adequate across Europe.

BBC

A modest currency adjustment at a time of strong speculation could attract yet bigger inflows of hot money, as investors bet on further appreciation.

The Economist

"Our decision to keep the AMC Stubs A-List monthly price unchanged in 35 states, along with only a modest price adjustment in some key markets going in place in early 2019 will keep us in that sweet spot of successfully balancing profits and popularity," said AMC Theatres CEO Adam Aron in a statement.

TechCrunch

"The staff's baseline scenario envisages modest adjustment, weak growth and continuing unsustainable imbalances".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest adjustment", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being adjusted and why the adjustment is considered modest. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the scale of the change.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest adjustment" when the change you're describing is actually significant. Using it to downplay a major alteration can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest adjustment" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "adjustment". It typically describes a small or minor alteration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest adjustment" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase referring to a small or minor change. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, it serves to downplay the magnitude of an alteration. When utilizing the phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the scope and nature of the adjustment to prevent ambiguity. While versatile, avoid overstating the impact of a truly substantial modification by labeling it as "a modest adjustment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight alteration

Indicates a small change or modification, similar to a modest adjustment but emphasizes the act of altering something.

a minor modification

Highlights the small scale of the change, focusing on modifying something to a limited extent.

a minimal alteration

Highlights the very small degree of change being made, almost to the point of being insignificant.

a small revision

Emphasizes correcting or improving something by making minor alterations.

a marginal correction

Implies that the change is barely noticeable and serves to correct something slightly.

a subtle shift

Focuses on a change that is not immediately obvious but still makes a difference.

a limited amendment

Suggests a restricted change or addition, often in a formal context like legal documents.

a measured adaptation

Indicates a change that is carefully considered and implemented in response to specific needs or conditions.

a light touch adjustment

Implies careful and delicate handling of the adjustment process, making changes with precision.

a gentle tweak

Uses a more informal and softer tone to indicate a subtle adjustment.

FAQs

What does "a modest adjustment" mean?

The phrase "a modest adjustment" refers to a small or minor change made to something. It implies that the alteration is not substantial or drastic.

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

You can use "a modest adjustment" to describe alterations to plans, budgets, or strategies, such as: "After reviewing the data, we made "a modest adjustment" to our marketing campaign."

What can I say instead of "a modest adjustment"?

Alternatives to "a modest adjustment" include "a slight alteration", "a minor modification", or "a small revision" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a modest adjustment" in formal writing?

Yes, "a modest adjustment" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. However, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "a limited amendment" for greater precision.