a modest great

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest great" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to describe something that is both modest and great, but the juxtaposition is confusing and not standard usage. Example: "While he was a modest great in his field, his contributions were widely recognized and celebrated."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A modest, great man.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is a modest investment for great benefits!

Huffington Post

While the diploid tho2Δ mutant was hypersensitive (>125-fold greater than WT) to DOX, the isogenic haploid tho2Δ mutant displayed only a modest (5-fold greater than WT DOXX sensitivity.

Plosone

And, despite outrage over lavish bonuses and much talk about curtailing excessive risk-taking on Wall Street, President Obama has made only a modest proposal for greater shareholder oversight of executive compensation, leaving it to the French to press for stronger curbs on excessive pay.

The New Yorker

As shown in Table  2, during follow-up, there was a modest but significantly greater likelihood of reporting washing (AOR 1.35; 95% CI 1.22 1.50, Chi-square P < 0.0001), wiping (AOR 1.14; 95% CI 1.05 1.24, Chi-square P = 0.002) or use of soap and water (AOR 1.23; 95% CI 1.07 1.41, Chi-square P = 0.003) among women in the intervention group compared to those in the control group.

AIDS and Behavior

A modest question arises, however: If great literature is so great, why is it that if you act on anything great literature tells you about life, you're in big trouble?

The New York Times - Books

In an essay for the class, Rosenberg wrote, "I have read a modest amount — not a great deal, but enough to be able to judge works for myself.

The New Yorker

A modest request for The Great Communicator, but Reagan believed that if he could accomplish that feat for free people anywhere, particularly in America, he had changed the world.

The New York Times

He would almost certainly have been aghast that the Fed blew it again in 2008 by its tight money policies that possibly turned a modest downturn into the Great Recession.

The Guardian - Opinion

The reason the FDA action will make a modest rather than a great difference is not because it is unimportant, but rather because it is late in the game.

Huffington Post

"He's just a very modest guy, great humility, he just coped with this tremendously well".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to describe someone who is both modest and accomplished, opt for clearer phrasing such as "a humble great" or "a great and modest person". This avoids potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest great" as it can sound awkward and unclear. Expand the description to clearly convey both qualities you wish to highlight. Instead, use phrases like "a great person known for their modesty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest great" functions as a descriptive phrase, aiming to combine the qualities of modesty and greatness in a single expression. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this phrasing is not correct in written English, suggesting that it lacks conventional grammatical structure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modest great" attempts to describe someone possessing both humility and significant achievement. However, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically incorrect and suggests that it's not standard English usage. Although examples exist, they are rare, and more conventional phrasing is recommended for clarity and formality. Alternatives such as "a humble giant" or "a great and modest person" offer better clarity and grammatical correctness. While the intention is admirable, prioritizing established language conventions leads to more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a humble giant

Replaces "modest" with "humble" emphasizing the lack of arrogance despite significant achievements.

a quietly impressive figure

Focuses on the understated nature of their impact, rather than directly stating modesty.

an unassuming legend

Highlights the contrast between their lack of pretension and their legendary status.

a self-effacing leader

Emphasizes the quality of minimizing one's own importance, particularly in a leadership role.

a reserved achiever

Stresses the restrained nature of their personality combined with their accomplishments.

a low-key powerhouse

Highlights the understated approach combined with immense strength or influence.

a discreet success

Focuses on the private and subtle nature of their successful journey.

a simple yet significant individual

Emphasizes simplicity in character alongside substantial importance.

a demure champion

Suggests shyness or reserve alongside exceptional skill or victory.

a plainspoken visionary

Highlights straightforward communication combined with innovative thinking and foresight.

FAQs

How can I describe someone who is both modest and accomplished?

Instead of using the phrase "a modest great", which can be ambiguous, consider alternatives like "a humble giant" or "a great and modest person" for better clarity.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a modest great"?

While understandable, "a modest great" is not standard English usage. It's preferable to rephrase using clearer constructions to describe someone who possesses both qualities.

What is a more common way to express the idea of someone being both modest and significant?

Common ways include "a quietly impressive figure", which focuses on impact, or "an unassuming legend", which highlights the contrast between their lack of pretension and legendary status.

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

Given its non-standard usage, it's best to avoid "a modest great" in formal writing. In informal contexts, ensure the meaning is clear from the surrounding sentences. However, more conventional alternatives are generally preferred.