a modest change

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a modest change' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has been altered in a minor way, such as a minor adjustment to a plan or a policy. For example, "The boss suggested a modest change to the strategy, which we quickly agreed to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Treatment with strontium ranelate leads to a modest change in bowel habits and is associated with a slight increase in thromboembolic risk, particularly in elderly patients.

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Parallel proliferation experiments confirmed that the four-fold increase in invasion in control cells was unlikely to be due to increased cell numbers as there was only a modest change in proliferation at 16 h.

British Journal of Cancer

The results showed a modest change in the overall water balance of the system.

Journal of Hydrology

A modest change in the internal roof construction was trialed in order to improve thermal comfort.

Applied Thermal Engineering

Controlling undesirable Phase A trend caused only a modest change from nonoverlap.

Behavior Therapy

It's a modest change — filibusters would still exist — but a useful one.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

A really big desire to change what you do typically results in only a modest change in behavior precisely because of the power of habits.

Huffington Post

But the administration says it is seeking only a modest change to the treaty.

The New York Times

We observe that most transformations have no more than a modest change in hERG inhibition.

Chemistry Central Journal

In contrast, 0.72% percent of the γ-tubulin signal was diffuse in the H4 cells; this was a modest change (0.08%), yet it was significantly different (*p = 0.01; Figure 8C).

Plosone

The SI maneuver produced a modest change in overall PaCO2 for all three patients.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest change", ensure that the context reflects a change that is indeed small and not drastic. Avoid using it to downplay a significant alteration.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest change" when the actual impact is substantial. Overstating the impact of a modest change can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest change" functions as a noun phrase typically used as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It refers to an alteration that is small in scale or impact, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest change" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a small or subtle alteration. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to emphasize the limited extent of the change. It's commonly found in both scientific and news contexts, and maintains a neutral register suitable for various audiences. When using this phrase, remember to ensure the impact aligns with the descriptor 'modest' to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight adjustment

Emphasizes the act of adjusting something slightly.

a minor modification

Highlights the alteration aspect, indicating it's a small-scale change.

a small alteration

Replaces "modest" with "small", focusing on the size of the change.

a marginal difference

Shifts focus to the difference resulting from the change, implying it's barely noticeable.

a subtle variation

Highlights the understated nature of the change.

a limited amendment

Focuses on the act of amending, indicating a restriction or boundary to the change.

a minimal adjustment

Replaces "modest" with "minimal", focusing on the very small amount of the change.

a touch of difference

Emphasizes the slight and delicate nature of the change.

a soupcon of change

Uses a French word to describe a very small amount of change.

a shade of difference

Highlights the very slight and almost imperceptible nature of the change.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest change" to describe a minor alteration or adjustment. For example, "The new policy introduced "a modest change" in the reporting procedure."

What are some alternatives to "a modest change"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight adjustment", "a minor modification", or "a small alteration" to convey a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a modest change"?

It's appropriate when the alteration is relatively minor and doesn't significantly impact the overall outcome or situation. It's often used to downplay potential concerns or resistance to change.

Is "a modest change" the same as "a significant change"?

No, "a modest change" implies a small, subtle alteration, whereas "a significant change" indicates a substantial and impactful transformation. They are antonyms.