a modest audience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest audience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or unassuming group of people attending an event, such as a presentation or performance. Example: "The speaker was pleased to see a modest audience gathered to hear her talk about environmental conservation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But I've built a modest audience and a name.

The New York Times - Books

But his Web site has found a modest audience of race fans, gay and straight.

The New York Times - Sports

NBC was fourth, garnering a modest audience (7.1 million) for "The Biggest Loser" from 8 to 10, followed by "Parenthood" (4.8 million).

The New York Times - Arts

The four tuba players we heard at Broadway and 63rd were more enjoyable, and then we headed to Herald Square, where six bagpipers had drawn a modest audience.

The New York Times

The special, in its 11th year on CBS's schedule, drew a modest audience of 6.4 million viewers, according to Nielsen's estimates.

The New York Times

Fox earned the night's highest ratings in that age group with "Hell's Kitchen" at 9, although the show drew a modest audience with 7.9 million total viewers.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

According to Nielsen's estimates, "The Bachelorette" garnered the night's most viewers, averaging 9.9 million from 8 to 10 p.m., while "True Beauty" eked out a lead at 10 with a more modest audience of 5.5 million viewers.

The New York Times

ABC's "Rookie Blue" earned decent ratings at 9 (6.4 million), while the network drew a more modest audience at 10 for "Boston Med" (4.7 million).

The New York Times - Arts

When the first episode of The Great British Bake Off aired, on 17 August, it attracted a relatively modest audience of 2.24 million.

The Guardian - Business

In total viewers, however, Fox, drawing a more modest audience of 11.3 million at 9 for "24," finished just behind CBS in second place.

The New York Times - Arts

Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" led the night in that group, even as it drew a more modest audience at 9 of 8.7 million total viewers.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest audience" when you want to downplay the size of the audience without being overly negative or critical. It suggests that while the audience may not be large, it is still noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest audience" to describe a very large gathering, as it would be inaccurate and could mislead your readers. Instead, opt for phrases like "a large audience" or "a significant crowd."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest audience" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness and usability in describing audience size. For example, 'Dobbs reaches a modest audience' or 'Fox earned the night's highest ratings although the show drew a modest audience.'

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modest audience" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, particularly within news and media contexts, to describe a relatively small group of people. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It's important to use this phrase accurately, avoiding its application to large gatherings, and to be aware of its neutral-to-professional register. Alternative phrases, such as "a small gathering" or "a limited viewership", can be considered depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey. The phrase appears to be effective in a variety of descriptive writing situations, especially where objectivity and clear communication are essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small gathering

Focuses on the intimate nature of the group.

a limited viewership

Emphasizes the restricted number of viewers, typically for broadcast media.

a select group

Highlights the exclusivity or special nature of the audience.

a handful of attendees

Implies a very small, almost countable number of people present.

a reduced number of spectators

Indicates a decline or lower-than-expected count of spectators.

a respectable crowd

Suggests the audience is of a decent size considering the circumstances.

a fair turnout

Conveys that the number of people who showed up is acceptable or reasonable.

a decent number of people

Uses a more generic term to refer to an audience size.

a restricted circle of followers

Focuses on loyalty and dedication of an specific or local audiece.

a small but enthusiastic crowd

Highlights quality rather than quantity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest audience" to describe the size of a group attending an event or consuming media, such as "The play was well-received, despite attracting "a modest audience"".

What are some alternatives to "a modest audience"?

Alternatives include "a small gathering", "a limited viewership", or "a select group" depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a modest audience" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when reporting on events or media consumption. It provides a neutral and objective assessment of audience size.

What's the difference between "a modest audience" and "a large audience"?

"A modest audience" suggests a smaller-than-average group, while "a large audience" indicates a significantly above-average number of people. The choice depends on the actual size of the audience you are describing.