a modest amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or reasonable duration of time that is not excessive. Example: "I only need a modest amount of time to complete this task, so please be patient."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This adds only a modest amount of time to each milking shift and does not require additional wash cycles, improving milk production per cow and parlor efficiency.

Cornell University

"All the research shows that if you do them alone, for a modest amount of time, they have a modest positive effect, but it doesn't last," he said.

The New York Times

Anyone who spends even a modest amount of time at home on weekday afternoons, including people with young children, the elderly and the bedridden, would most likely end up paying more for their electricity.

The New York Times

And the biggest wild card remains the president himself, who has devoted only a modest amount of time to the grinding task of mastering health-care policy but has repeatedly suggested that his sweeping new plan is nearly complete.

The Washington Post

But for music and book lovers with some patience and a willingness to invest a modest amount of time and money, those vintage tunes on dinosaur formats can be revived to live again in today's in-car audio systems.

The New York Times

Even with that encouragement, Rubin had to fight multiple rounds of testosterone-laden red tape to get even a modest amount of time on the telescope at Mount Palomar to begin measuring the stellar motion necessary to impute what dark matter might be all about.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

CREF's campaign reportedly involved total out-of-pocket expenses of less than $10,000 plus a modest amount of staff time and resources.

Harvard Business Review

Sogn up for the best of VIclasseliveredynamicsr inbox daily.

Vice

They're not a great option for raising a modest amount of money--the time and cost involved in state registration varies, but it can be significant (especially if you need to register in more than one state).

Huffington Post

Thoughtfulness - Have the thoughtfulness to take the modest amount of time required to praise your people when it's deserved.

Forbes

We needed a modest amount of help for a short time (which is true of most SNAP recipients).

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest amount of time", ensure that the context clarifies what activity or task the time is being allocated to. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest amount of time" when the actual time required is substantial. This can lead to underestimation and potential project delays or failure to meet expectations. Be realistic in your assessment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest amount of time" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the extent or duration of an action or state. It describes the temporal investment required for a particular activity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a modest amount of time" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to indicate a duration that is reasonable and not excessive. It functions as an adverbial modifier and serves to assure that a particular activity does not demand a significant time investment. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, it is also common in academic and scientific writing. Alternatives include "a reasonable duration" and "a limited period". When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies the activity to which time is being allocated, and to avoid understating actual time commitments. The register is professional and neutral, suitable for broad application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonable duration

Replaces "modest" with "reasonable", focusing on acceptability rather than smallness.

a limited period

Substitutes "amount of time" with "period", highlighting the constraint on duration.

a brief interval

Uses "brief" to emphasize the shortness of the time, and "interval" as a more formal substitute.

a short while

Emphasizes the brevity and informality of the duration.

a manageable timeframe

Focuses on the ease of handling the duration, shifting the perspective to practicality.

a small window of opportunity

Emphasizes the limited nature of the time available in the context of an opportunity.

a fair stretch

Implies more time than "a modest amount", suggesting a somewhat longer but still reasonable duration.

a practical length of time

Highlights the suitability of the time frame for a specific purpose.

a sufficient period

Indicates that the time is adequate for a particular requirement.

a certain measure of time

Uses more formal language to express a specific but undefined amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "a modest amount of time" in a sentence?

You can use "a modest amount of time" to describe a task that doesn't require extensive duration. For example, "Completing this report will only take "a modest amount of time"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a modest amount of time"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a reasonable duration", "a limited period", or "a brief interval", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a modest amount of time" or "a short amount of time"?

Both phrases are correct, but "a modest amount of time" suggests a reasonable and not excessive duration, while "a short amount of time" simply indicates brevity. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a modest amount of time"?

The phrase is appropriate in various contexts, such as project management, task allocation, and estimations, where you need to convey that something will not take too long. For instance, "Learning the basics of coding requires only "a modest amount of time"".