a modest attempt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest attempt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effort that is humble or not overly ambitious in nature. Example: "The author made a modest attempt to address the complex issues surrounding climate change in her latest book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Consider this a modest attempt to redress the balance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pivotal moment in the trust's history involved a modest attempt to generate some cash.

The Guardian - Sport

The museum began in 1996 as a modest attempt to rescue remnants of that era, later leasing city land for its own boneyard of salvaged signs.

The New York Times - Arts

Congress tiptoed back to the battlefield this month with a modest attempt to legalize some immigrant children who go to college or serve in the military.

The New York Times

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

The government has made a modest attempt at taking over bad loans through the Resolution and Collection Corporation (RCC), a public body created in 1999 and largely financed by the Bank of Japan.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

In the meantime, this column, in various skillful hands for two decades, has been a more modest attempt to get at what changes and what doesn't in the land of cars, youths, commuters and college anxiety.

The New York Times

My choice seemed a very modest attempt to honor the sacrifice of our troops -- I would try and gain some modicum of understanding about what they go through when sent to war.

Huffington Post

John Pietrzak is trading overnight on Project A, the Board's modest attempt at electronic trading.

The New York Times

In Costa Rica there have been a few modest attempts to draw up a set of guidelines and standards for spatial data, but they have mostly remained confined to the CIS of the group that defined them.

Quantifying Sustainable Development The Future of Tropical Economies

They bring to mind a former N.B.A. All-Star's modest attempt to explain his otherworldy playmaking to a group of ordinary mortals.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest attempt" when you want to downplay the scale or ambition of an action, especially when being self-deprecating or managing expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest attempt" when the effort is actually substantial or groundbreaking. This can create a false impression of underachievement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest attempt" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use, indicating a well-established grammatical role. It modifies the noun "attempt" with the adjective "modest,"

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modest attempt" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes an action or effort that is limited in scope or ambition. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various domains, including news, science, and formal writing, confirming its wide applicability. When writing, remember to employ "a modest attempt" when you want to downplay the scale of a project or convey a sense of humility. Alternative phrases include "a humble endeavor" or "a limited effort", which can add subtle nuances to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a humble endeavor

Replaces "modest" with "humble," emphasizing humility and lack of pretension in the effort.

a limited effort

Substitutes "modest" with "limited," highlighting the constrained scope or scale of the undertaking.

a small undertaking

Uses "small undertaking" to convey the limited nature of the project or task.

a minor endeavor

Replaces "attempt" with "endeavor" and "modest" with "minor", keeping a similar level of formality but softening the tone.

a tentative step

Highlights the cautious or experimental nature of the effort, suggesting a lack of certainty or commitment.

a restrained effort

Emphasizes the controlled or limited nature of the undertaking, suggesting a conscious effort to avoid excess or extravagance.

a measured approach

Focuses on the deliberate and careful way in which the effort is being carried out, suggesting a lack of impulsiveness or recklessness.

a conservative approach

Suggests a cautious and traditional method, minimizing risk and innovation.

a basic attempt

Replaces "modest" with "basic", keeping a similar level of formality but softening the tone.

a preliminary effort

Emphasizes that the effort is an initial step, often implying that further work will be needed.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest attempt" to describe an action or effort that is limited in scope or ambition. For example, "This study represents "a modest attempt" to understand the effects of climate change on local ecosystems."

What are some alternatives to "a modest attempt"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a humble endeavor", "a limited effort", or "a small undertaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a modest attempt" is suitable for formal writing. It conveys a sense of humility and realistic expectations, which can be valuable in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "a modest attempt" and "a significant effort"?

"A modest attempt" suggests a limited or humble approach, while "a significant effort" implies a substantial and ambitious undertaking. The choice depends on the actual scale and impact of the action being described.