a modest advance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest advance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or moderate improvement or progress in a particular context, such as business, personal development, or technology. Example: "The team made a modest advance in their research, which could lead to significant breakthroughs in the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The 26% figure was a modest advance from the 24% recorded in 2008/9.

The Guardian - Film

C1 A late rally gave Wall Street a modest advance after the lackluster employment report.

The New York Times

In an interview, Mr. Erving said Spotify had paid a modest advance that helped him establish his company.

The New York Times

The Boss. [C12.] Stocks Post a Modest Advance Stocks edged up as investors waited for important quarterly reports.

The New York Times

The show has a modest advance of more than $5 million, with group sales adding another $1 or $2 million.

The New York Times

Ticket sales so far are lackluster, the producers say, and the show has a modest advance of $1.5 million.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

In the broader market, meanwhile, the S&P 500 saw a similarly modest advance with a gain of 0.23%.

Forbes

This was to be a paperback original, for a very modest advance.

The Guardian - Books

While this system is still a work in progress, Microsoft today will announce a more modest advance: changes to the MSN Video site that are supposed to make the ads there less intrusive and more ubiquitous.

The New York Times

Last summer saw a further modest advance for Mr Hague as Tony Blair admitted in a leaked memo that the government was widely perceived to be "somehow out of touch with gut British instincts" on key populist issues such as crime and asylum seekers.

The Guardian

Shares of E*Trade Financial initially soared 19.5%, or $1.03, to $6.30 in premarket trading, but drifted back down to a more modest advance of 3.6%, or 19 cents, to $5.46, amid concern that the deal dilutes the value of current shareholders' stakes.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest advance" to realistically represent progress in situations where expectations might otherwise be set too high. This helps manage perceptions and avoids disappointment if results are only incremental.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest advance" when the improvement is substantial or significant. Inflating the achievement undermines credibility and misrepresents the true extent of progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest advance" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a degree of progress or improvement that is limited in scope or impact, as seen in Ludwig's examples from various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a modest advance" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes a small degree of progress or improvement. According to Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While offering a realistic assessment of achievements, ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the scale of the progress and avoid overstating its significance. Consider alternatives like "a slight improvement" or "a small step forward" to fine-tune the nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight improvement

Emphasizes the small degree of betterment achieved.

a small step forward

Highlights the incremental nature of the progress.

a marginal gain

Focuses on the minimal increase or benefit obtained.

a limited progression

Stresses the constrained extent of the advancement.

a measured development

Indicates a carefully calibrated or controlled increase.

a gentle upswing

Suggests a gradual and moderate positive change.

a tempered escalation

Implies a restrained or moderated increase in scope or intensity.

a tame elevation

Conveys a subdued rise or increase from a prior level.

a subtle progression

Underlines the barely perceptible quality of the advance.

an evolutionary improvement

Emphasizes the slow and gradual nature of the progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest advance" to describe a small improvement or progress in various contexts. For example, "The company reported "a modest advance" in its quarterly earnings" or "The new policy represents "a modest advance" in environmental protection efforts".

What are some alternatives to "a modest advance"?

Some alternatives to "a modest advance" include "a slight improvement", "a small step forward", or "a marginal gain". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a modest advance" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a modest advance" is suitable for formal writing. It's a neutral and professional way to describe incremental progress in reports, business documents, and academic papers.

When should I avoid using the phrase "a modest advance"?

Avoid using "a modest advance" if the progress is substantial or groundbreaking. In such cases, stronger terms like "significant breakthrough" or "major achievement" would be more appropriate.