a modest concern

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest concern" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a concern that is not overly significant or serious, often implying a level of humility or restraint in the concern being raised. Example: "While there are many pressing issues to address, I would like to bring up a modest concern regarding the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Week, the subscription-only news digest that began as a modest concern launched a decade ago by former Sunday Telegraph journalist Jolyon Connell, financed by the sale of his house before Dennis took an interest, has quietly built a devoted following on both sides of the Atlantic.

The Guardian

Our trade imbalances and financial debt to the rest of the world have grown from a modest concern to levels that could produce a crash".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A foiled 2006 terrorist plot brought modest concern about radical Islam.

The New York Times

There is a 1950s school in Southwark whose modest concern for the environments of children is heartbreakingly absent from the vast majority of schools built now.

The Guardian - Arts

At the time, the company was largely a trade book publisher; it also ran a book club, a New York bookstore and a modest printing concern.

The New York Times

Finally, given the metabolic parameters were performed in the peri-infarct region of the heart, differential cell viability may be of modest concern.

Cardiovascular Diabetology

Despite some having described pediatric diabetes to be at 'epidemic levels' [ 30- 32], others argue prevalence estimates are of modest concern, even among those populations believed to be at greater risk [ 33].

BMC Pediatrics

• To the Sports Editor: A modest proposal concerning baseball and instant replay: allow each team one challenge per game, whether or not it is upheld.

The New York Times - Sports

Most identified common variants confer relatively small risk (odds ratio (OR) at 1.1-1.5 1.1-1.5pland only a modexplainponlyon concerning the heritability of these diseases [ 6, 7].

BMC Genomics

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority entered the holiday weekend with modest concerns about the weather.

The New York Times

More modest concerns about some of the provisions were also raised by the National Association of Home Builders and the National Association of Realtors.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest concern", ensure the context reflects that the issue is genuinely not of high importance. Overstating its modesty can undermine your credibility if the concern later proves significant.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest concern" when the issue at hand carries substantial implications. Inflating modesty to downplay importance can be misleading and damage trust with your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest concern" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage. It serves to identify something that is causing worry or requiring attention, but not to a significant degree.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest concern" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce an issue while minimizing its perceived importance. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. Although relatively uncommon, the phrase serves a specific purpose: to acknowledge a worry or issue without causing undue alarm or implying it is a high priority. Alternatives such as ""a minor worry"" or ""a slight apprehension"" can provide similar nuances. When employing this phrase, be aware of the context and ensure its use aligns with the actual severity of the concern to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A minor worry

Replaces "concern" with "worry" and "modest" with "minor", suggesting a slight degree of anxiety.

A slight apprehension

Substitutes "concern" with "apprehension" and "modest" with "slight", indicating a mild sense of unease.

A small issue

Uses "issue" instead of "concern" and "small" in place of "modest", framing it as a problem of limited scope.

A negligible problem

Emphasizes the insignificance of the concern by describing it as "negligible".

A trivial matter

Highlights the unimportance of the concern, portraying it as "trivial".

A mild reservation

Replaces "concern" with "reservation" and "modest" with "mild", suggesting a gentle form of doubt or objection.

A limited preoccupation

Indicates the concern is not consuming or dominant by using "limited preoccupation".

A restrained anxiety

Suggests the concern is controlled or suppressed by using "restrained anxiety".

A tempered unease

Implies the concern is moderated or reduced by describing it as "tempered unease".

A humble fear

Framing the concern as a "humble fear" indicates it is acknowledged with humility and isn't overpowering.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest concern" to introduce a point that you don't want to overemphasize. For example: "While I appreciate the progress, I do have "a modest concern" regarding the budget allocation."

What's a good alternative to "a modest concern"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a minor worry", "a slight apprehension", or "a small issue" to convey a similar meaning.

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

Yes, "a modest concern" is suitable for formal writing when you want to express a worry without exaggerating its importance. However, ensure it accurately reflects the actual significance of the issue.

What is the difference between "a modest concern" and "a major concern"?

"A modest concern" indicates a relatively small or insignificant worry, while "a major concern" signifies a serious and important issue that requires immediate attention.