a modest donation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest donation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or humble contribution, often in the context of charitable giving or fundraising. Example: "We appreciate any support you can provide, even a modest donation can make a difference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What we found underscored that while helping others is a complicated, uncertain enterprise, there are times when a modest donation can be transformative.

The New York Times

In keeping with our goal of supporting relevant research, the SPMA has made a modest donation to the campaign in the welcome knowledge that the first £500,000 of donations will be matched.

The Guardian

In late 2013 the SNGR gave vigías new radios and batteries and also a modest donation was given by the US Embassy in Quito, to help support the overall radio system and provide a set of field gear to all vigías.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I have dropped all claims against those tweeters with less than 500 followers, in return for a very modest donation to BBC Children In Need, which funds 2,600 projects supporting disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

The Guardian

"I made a modest $50 donation to Friends of Scouting this year," Susan Buchanan, the mother of a 16-year-old scout in Bethesda, Md., wrote in a letter to her local scout council.

The New York Times

China's initially modest donation to the Philippines, where a huge international relief effort including deliveries of aid by American soldiers is underway, appeared to be based on the frosty relations between the two countries.

The New York Times

Though I don't yet have as much control over my modest donation as I would like, I still intend to allocate the same percentage of my giving this year to my high school and college as I have in years past.

The New York Times

For the more modest donation of $8, softball fans can see Yogi Berra throw out the first pitch and the likes of writers like Ken Auletta and George Plimpton and actors like Roy Scheider and Alec Baldwin play in the annual Artists and Writers Softball Game also on Saturday at Herricks Park in East Hampton.

The New York Times

Even modest donations do make a difference.

The New York Times

"Many do not think they can afford to give, do not know where to give or how to evaluate the effectiveness of organizations, and do not believe their modest donations can make a difference".

TechCrunch

"If the government is coming out and saying that giving to charity is part of avoiding paying taxes then it is going to have a knock on effect on people who are giving modest donations regularly to modest charities".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest donation", consider the audience and context. It's often used to encourage giving by suggesting that even small amounts can make a difference.

Common error

Avoid downplaying the significance of "a modest donation". While it may not be a large sum, emphasize its potential to contribute to a larger goal or collective effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest donation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct, and is used to describe a contribution that is small in size or value.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.25%

Academia

3.125%

Social Media

3.125%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest donation" is a noun phrase used to describe a small contribution, often in the context of charitable giving. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While it's versatile and found across various sources, it's most common in news and media contexts. Its purpose is often to encourage contributions by implying that even small amounts can make a difference. Alternative phrases, such as ""a small contribution"" or ""a humble offering"", can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. The key is to use the phrase appropriately, recognizing its implication of a smaller value while still acknowledging its potential impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small contribution

Focuses on the size of the contribution.

a humble offering

Emphasizes the unassuming nature of the donation.

a token gift

Highlights the symbolic value of the donation.

a nominal donation

Stresses the donation being small compared to others.

a limited contribution

Focuses on donation’s restrict amount.

a reasonable contribution

Highlights the affordable nature of the donation.

a minor gift

Focuses on donation’s lack of significance.

a slight offering

Highlights donation’s unsubstantial.

a decent donation

Emphasizes the acceptable nature of the donation.

a fair contribution

Stresses the donation being reasonable.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest donation" to describe a small contribution, such as: "We appreciate any support you can provide, even "a modest donation" can make a difference."

What are some alternatives to "a modest donation"?

Alternatives include "a small contribution", "a humble offering", or "a token gift" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a large sum of money as "a modest donation"?

No, the term "a modest donation" implies a small amount. Describing a large sum this way would be inaccurate and potentially misleading.

How does "a modest donation" differ from "a generous donation"?

"A modest donation" refers to a small, unassuming contribution, while "a generous donation" implies a large and significant contribution.