a modest improvement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest improvement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or moderate enhancement or progress in a particular area or situation. Example: "After implementing the new strategy, we noticed a modest improvement in our sales figures over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is only a modest improvement from a year ago.

The New York Times

Indeed, testing 2D VBGMMs on these data showed a modest improvement of the results (30% of the cases were improved).

Bioinformatics

And we're seeing stabilization and a modest improvement in that".

The New York Times

To be fair, even this weak compromise would be a modest improvement over current law.

The New York Times

In New York City, the failure rate was 66.9percentt, again a modest improvement over 2000.

The New York Times

Modelling showed a modest improvement in thermal comfort could be expected.

Applied Thermal Engineering

This undermined a modest improvement in advertising and such fickle services as branding.

The Economist

A year and a half later, the exercise group showed "a modest improvement in cognition".

The New York Times

After all, other indicators pointed towards a modest improvement in the labour market.

The Economist

Results showed only a modest improvement in the NUU (<5%) over reference designs.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

The Boss offers a modest improvement on that number, with a debut of £595,000 from 439 venues.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest improvement" to accurately reflect situations where progress is noticeable but not dramatic, avoiding exaggeration.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest improvement" when the actual change is significant. Choose stronger terms like "substantial progress" or "major breakthrough" to reflect the true extent of the advancement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest improvement" functions as a noun phrase, with "modest" acting as an adjective modifying the noun "improvement". Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and readily usable. It often appears to quantify or qualify the degree of positive change.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

53%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest improvement" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a slight positive change. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, conveying a sense of measured progress without exaggeration. While highly versatile, writers should ensure the phrase accurately reflects the situation, avoiding overstatement or understatement. Alternatives such as "a slight enhancement" or "a small gain" can provide similar nuance, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight enhancement

Focuses on the act of enhancing something, implying a minor degree of betterment.

a small gain

Emphasizes the positive result achieved, suggesting a limited quantity or degree of progress.

a marginal increase

Highlights the incremental nature of the change, often in quantitative terms.

a limited advancement

Indicates that the progress made is restricted or constrained in some way.

a subtle refinement

Suggests an improvement that is delicate and not immediately obvious.

a minor adjustment

Implies a small correction or alteration that leads to a positive change.

a tempered upgrade

Conveys a restrained or moderate level of upgrading.

an incremental advance

Highlights the step-by-step progression of the improvement.

a contained amelioration

Expresses that the improvement or the process of making something better is restricted in scope.

a measured progression

Emphasizes that something is progressing at a controlled and deliberate pace.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest improvement" to describe a small positive change. For example, "The new policy led to "a modest improvement" in employee satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "a modest improvement"?

Alternatives include "a slight enhancement", "a small gain", or "a marginal increase". The best choice depends on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a modest improvement" or should I say "an modest improvement"?

The correct phrase is "a modest improvement". The article "a" is used before words that begin with a consonant sound.

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

"A modest improvement" indicates a small or moderate positive change, while "a significant improvement" implies a substantial and noticeable positive change.