a modest amendment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest amendment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or minor change or adjustment to a document, proposal, or plan. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I suggest a modest amendment to the budget allocation to better reflect our priorities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"This is a modest amendment, and I stress modest," Mr. Lugar said.

The New York Times

The current chemical safety law, which consists of a modest amendment to a 2007 appropriations bill, is clearly inadequate.

The New York Times

When the Senate voted this week for an open-ended commitment to aid a war against drug cultivation in Colombia, 11 senators dissented by supporting a modest amendment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The modest amendment did not even cap noneconomic damages, a key to some states' success in limiting increases in insurance premiums.

The New York Times

Dec. 12, 2000: A Deal Is Reached Mr. Long, the Enron lobbyist, writes to Enron executives announcing that a deal has nearly been reached, after Mr. Gramm was able to persuade the players to accept some modest amendments to the legislation, including a change that will further protect swaps from regulation, as he had long sought — a change that would benefit Enron.

The New York Times

Other, more modest, amendments will also come up, including one to limit the size of payments.

The Economist

He said that he hoped to introduce some "modest amendments" to the Freedom Act in the next day or two.

The New Yorker

To deploy the system, the administration has said it would seek modest amendments to the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty inegotiationsns with Russia.

The New York Times

Among many Russians, by no means all of them Communists, suspicion of American motives runs too deep for even a finely-crafted oration to root it out.As for the issues in dispute, Russia remains unwilling at this stage to accept America's fairly modest amendments proposed for the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) treaty of 1972, though it now accepts some treaty changes may be needed.

The Economist

The Manchin-Toomey amendment was a modest bill.

Huffington Post

The amendment, he wrote, was "a modest attempt by seemingly tolerant Coloradans to preserve traditional sexual mores against the efforts of a politically powerful minority to revise those mores through use of laws".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When proposing "a modest amendment", be specific about the exact changes and their intended impact. Clarity helps avoid misunderstandings and facilitates smoother implementation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the significance of "a modest amendment". Be realistic about its effects to maintain credibility and manage expectations effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest amendment" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "amendment". It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a modest amendment" refers to a small or minor change to a document, proposal, or plan. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's essential to be clear about the specifics of the change and avoid exaggerating its impact. Alternatives include "a slight modification" or "a minor adjustment". Keep in mind to manage expectations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight modification

Replaces "amendment" with "modification" implying a minor change.

a minor adjustment

Substitutes "amendment" with "adjustment", suggesting a small alteration.

a small revision

Uses "revision" instead of "amendment", indicating a slight alteration to improve something.

a limited alteration

Replaces "modest" with "limited", emphasizing the restricted scope of the change.

a marginal correction

Uses "correction" to highlight the act of fixing a mistake or inaccuracy.

a gentle refinement

Replaces "amendment" with "refinement", suggesting a subtle improvement.

a conservative change

Uses "conservative" to describe the nature of the change as cautious and minimal.

a tempered adjustment

Replaces "modest" with "tempered", suggesting a restrained or moderate adjustment.

a measured modification

Implies careful consideration and control in making the change.

an incremental change

Focuses on the gradual and small nature of the change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest amendment" to describe a small change to a proposal, law, or document. For example: "The committee proposed "a modest amendment" to the budget to allocate more funds to education".

What are some alternatives to saying "a modest amendment"?

Alternatives include "a slight modification", "a minor adjustment", or "a small revision". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a modest amendment" or "a significant amendment"?

The choice between "a modest amendment" and "a significant amendment" depends entirely on the scope and impact of the change being described. Use "a modest amendment" when the change is small and has limited consequences; use "a significant amendment" when the change is substantial and has far-reaching effects.

What is the difference between "a modest amendment" and "a minor change"?

While "a modest amendment" and "a minor change" are similar, "a modest amendment" typically refers specifically to changes in formal documents or proposals, whereas "a minor change" can apply to a broader range of situations.