a modest comfort

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest comfort" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or simple source of comfort or solace in a situation. Example: "After a long day, a warm cup of tea provided a modest comfort that helped her unwind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Hearing a song like "Suggestion" and seeing bro control is a real, if modest, comfort.

The New Yorker

And $40,000-plus seemed high for a roadster of modest comfort, whose performance was so overshadowed by the muscular Porsche 911.

The New York Times

The traditional avenue to a life of at least modest comfort for black Detroiters at least after the Second World War, when the factory gates opened up was the auto industry.

The New Yorker

Jeremy Corbyn can take modest comfort from an outcome less grim than many foretold.

The Guardian - Opinion

KEEP IT IN PERSPECTIVE Beyond an amount necessary to live in modest comfort, money is not that important, and often more of a burden than a pleasure.

The New York Times

I immersed myself in the composer Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith's blissed-out "EARS," and I partook in the modest comfort of "Evn," an EP of gorgeous beats and ambient sketches that the producer VHVL made while recovering from a botched surgery.

The New Yorker

The Goncourts' widowed mother left them an income that enabled the brothers to live in modest comfort without working and rescued Edmond from a treasury clerkship that had driven him to suicidal despair.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After some years his situation improved, for autobiographical remarks in Satire 11 show him, now elderly, living in modest comfort in Rome and possessing a farm at Tibur (now Tivoli) with servants and livestock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The inference is that we, as a society, cannot afford to keep our elderly in modest comfort, or to pay their medical bills.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gabler's eloquence is, in a sense, a rebuttal to the bile of the trolls, but his sophistication should be only modest comfort.

The New Yorker

Adam Smith George O'Brienn), a strapping young plumber, is married to the willowy Eve (Olive Borden), who lives in modest comfort but yearns for high-fashion finery.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about emotional or difficult situations, use "a modest comfort" to add nuance and avoid exaggerating the sense of relief.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest comfort" when describing situations that require significant relief or consolation. This phrase is best suited for minor instances where minimal comfort is sufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest comfort" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object, describing something that provides a small degree of ease or consolation. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest comfort" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe something that provides a small degree of relief or consolation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While the phrase is suitable for various contexts, from news to encyclopedias, its usage is most effective when the comfort being described is indeed minimal. Alternatives such as "a small consolation" or "a slight solace" offer similar meanings but may carry slightly different connotations. When writing, it's important to avoid overstating the degree of comfort and to ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the level of relief provided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small consolation

Replaces "comfort" with "consolation" implying a similar level of relief, but can sound slightly more formal.

a slight solace

Substitutes both "modest" and "comfort" with synonyms that emphasize a gentle form of easing distress.

a minimal ease

Focuses on the reduction of difficulty or pain being only slight or small.

a limited relief

Highlights the restrictive scope or degree of alleviation provided.

a mild comfort

Emphasizes that the comfort is gentle or moderate in intensity.

a touch of comfort

Indicates a very small amount of comfort, perhaps barely noticeable.

a degree of solace

Suggests a certain measurement or extent of easing of grief or disappointment.

a hint of comfort

Implies that the comfort is subtle and not immediately apparent.

a whisper of solace

Conveys that the solace is barely perceptible, almost unnoticeable.

some slight reassurance

Shifts the focus to reducing doubt or anxiety, but still in a small measure.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest comfort" to describe a small or simple source of relief. For example: "After the disappointing news, the warm drink was "a modest comfort"."

What are some alternatives to "a modest comfort"?

Alternatives include "a small consolation", "a slight solace", or "a minimal ease", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "a modest comfort" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider whether a more precise or impactful phrase might better suit the context. The key is ensuring the level of comfort aligns with the adjective "modest".

What's the difference between "a modest comfort" and "a great comfort"?

"A modest comfort" implies a small degree of relief or consolation, whereas "a great comfort" indicates a significant or substantial source of relief. The choice depends on the magnitude of the comfort being described.