a modest enterprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest enterprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a business or project that is small in scale or not overly ambitious. Example: "Despite being a modest enterprise, the startup has made significant contributions to the local community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

ST. PAUL — A chamber orchestra might seem by definition a modest enterprise.

The New York Times - Arts

Yet it is a modest enterprise compared with the teaching-hospitals trust, whose 13,000 staff make it the city's second-biggest employer.Now David is taking on Goliath.

The Economist

While it's got numbers — both in terms of members and album sales — it's a modest enterprise more interested in reviving the gentle country-rock of the 1970s and 1980s than in inflating that sound so it can fill a big room and, by extension, support a big ego.

The New York Times - Arts

The death of the project's main sponsor, Mayor Glenn Cunningham, and the belated organizing by civic groups are imperiling the project by Mr. Tsereteli, whose idea of a modest enterprise is filling a park in St . Petersburgwith 74 life-sized busts of czarist royalty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Of course, the Bronx Museum will not be able to sustain a free model without continuing support, given that it is a relatively modest enterprise.

The New York Times - Arts

There are a lot of marginalised people among us, and an outreach strategy that does not succeed in reaching those people – the marginalised – would be a pretty modest enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Although there are studies for these three grand paintings, and superb variations of their subjects, the pictures themselves are absent from the Brooklyn show, which has traveled from museums in Denmark and Germany, and is a more modest enterprise than the 1977 survey.

The New York Times - Arts

The production at the Greenwich House Theater that is opening the Drama Dept.'s season is a far more modest enterprise than the original, whose cast included not only Ms. Thomas but also Alan Alda, Mel Brooks, Harry Belafonte, Roberta Flack, Roosevelt Grier, Dustin Hoffman, Robert Morse, Cicely Tyson, Tom Smothers and Dionne Warwick.

The New York Times

Pumped-up, aggressive, muscle-headed entertainment is Mr. Bay's specialty, after all, and while this grisly true-crime drama is partly about performance-enhancing drugs and the bulky men who love them, it is also, compared with "Armageddon" or the "Transformers" series, a stripped-down, modest enterprise in which no major American city is reduced to rubble.

The New York Times

Modest enterprises like Avalon Partners have been a major engine of growth for the city.

The New York Times

People resist the comparison because businesses seem such modest enterprises.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or business, use "a modest enterprise" to convey that it is small-scale, not overly ambitious, and perhaps focused on local or niche markets.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest enterprise" when the project or business is actually large or has significant impact. This can create a mismatch between the description and reality, undermining credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest enterprise" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "enterprise". The phrase typically serves as a subject or object in a sentence, describing the nature of a business, project, or undertaking. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest enterprise" is a grammatically correct and valid phrase used to describe a business, project, or undertaking that is small in scale or not overly ambitious. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and carries a neutral tone. While the phrase itself is straightforward, choosing it appropriately depends on accurately representing the scale and ambition of what you are describing. Consider alternatives like "a small business" or "a humble venture" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small business

Focuses on the business aspect, emphasizing its reduced size.

a humble venture

Highlights the unpretentious nature and possibly the early stage of the undertaking.

a limited undertaking

Stresses the restricted scope and ambition of the enterprise.

a low-key project

Indicates a project that is not intended to attract much attention or be overly ambitious.

a simple operation

Suggests that the enterprise is straightforward and uncomplicated.

a contained activity

Emphasizes the controlled and limited nature of the activity.

a minor undertaking

Similar to 'limited undertaking' but potentially suggesting less effort.

a scaled-down effort

Implies a reduction in scope or resources compared to a larger project.

an unassuming operation

Highlights the lack of pretension or grandiosity in the operation.

a manageable task

Focuses on the feasibility and ease of handling the enterprise.

FAQs

What does "a modest enterprise" mean?

The phrase "a modest enterprise" refers to a business or project that is small in scale, scope, or ambition. It suggests that the undertaking is not particularly grand or pretentious.

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

It is appropriate to use "a modest enterprise" when you want to emphasize the limited size or scope of a business or project, especially when comparing it to larger or more ambitious undertakings. You might use "a small business" or "a humble venture".

What are some alternatives to "a modest enterprise"?

Alternatives include "a small business", "a humble venture", or "a low-key project". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "a modest enterprise" formal or informal?

"A modest enterprise" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.