a modest error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest error" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant mistake in various contexts, such as academic writing, reports, or casual conversation. Example: "The report contained a modest error in the calculations, but it did not affect the overall results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Nevertheless, wide ranges of β and fHA exist that only induce a modest error in K1est.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

There were wide ranges of β and fHA values which only induce a modest error in K1est.

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Our data was not very variable and contained only a modest measurement error.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We are able to map sensitively reads that have up to 10% of the bases in the reads being errors, as well as, reads that contain insertions and deletions up to 10 base pairs with modest error rates.

Plosone

In the case of second-generation reads, meaning larger input size and modest error rates, the key idea is to exploit the coverage of sequencing.

Bioinformatics

This improvement was observed irrespective of the nominal quality value threshold for base calling (which had only a modest effect on error rates), with error rates for the two round assemblies completely distinct from the distribution of error rates observed for a single round of assembly.

Genetics

There may well have been modest errors of misjudgement, such as John Yates and his relationship with NOTW deputy editor Neil Wallis and his employment at the Met, but is this not minor compared with the huge wider responsibilities this officer had for counter-terrorism?

Independent

The results of the simulation indicate that modest errors in registration do not lead to large survival differences.

British Journal of Cancer

Third, analyses of health insurance, surgeries and survival were unlikely to have been affected [ 41- 44] and modest errors very likely did not differ by socioeconomic factors [ 42].

BMC Health Services Research

Overall, adding a second round of mapping that incorporated SNP and indel variants called in the first round of mapping resulted in an ∼1% increase in sequence coverage (just over 1 million sites added) and a modest improvement in error rate relative to performing only a single round of mapping with only BWA.

Genetics

In a similar way, key assignments have only a modest effect on the error entry rate.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest error", ensure the context clearly indicates the error's limited impact. Avoid using it when the error has significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest error" to describe mistakes that have serious repercussions. This can minimize the issue and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest error" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" modifies the noun "error". It indicates the presence of an error that is small in magnitude or impact. Ludwig AI confirms this through the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest error" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a mistake that is small or insignificant. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it commonly appears in both scientific and news contexts and carries a neutral tone. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "a slight mistake" or "a minor inaccuracy" depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ensure you don't overstate the significance of the error when employing this phrase to maintain accuracy and clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight mistake

Emphasizes the small degree of the error.

a minor inaccuracy

Replaces "error" with "inaccuracy", highlighting the lack of precision.

a small oversight

Focuses on the error as something that was missed or overlooked.

a trivial mistake

Stresses the unimportance of the error.

a negligible error

Highlights that the error is so small it can be ignored.

a forgivable mistake

Focuses on the excusable nature of the error.

a venial error

Uses a more formal term, "venial", to indicate a minor sin or offense, applicable metaphorically to errors.

a tolerable error

Suggests the error is acceptable within certain limits.

a small miscalculation

More specific, implying the error is in a calculation.

a limited imperfection

Emphasizes the presence of a flaw but of a small entity.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest error" to describe a small or insignificant mistake, such as, "The report contained "a modest error" in the calculations, but it did not affect the overall results".

What are some alternatives to "a modest error"?

Some alternatives include "a slight mistake", "a minor inaccuracy", or "a small oversight", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "a modest error" is appropriate for formal writing when describing an error of small consequence. Be sure to choose the term that best fits the specific context and degree of the mistake.

What's the difference between "a modest error" and "a significant error"?

"A modest error" refers to a small, relatively unimportant mistake, while "a significant error" implies a larger mistake with more serious consequences. The choice depends on the actual impact of the error.