a modest increase of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest increase of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small or moderate rise in quantity, value, or degree in various contexts, such as finance, statistics, or general observations. Example: "The report indicated a modest increase of 5% in sales compared to the previous quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Saudis responded by announcing they had decided a week ago on a modest increase of 300,000 barrels a day.

The New York Times

The new approach includes a modest increase of several thousand troops.

The Washington Post

Salma is expecting a modest increase of a few hundred taka, but is unsure exactly what she will receive.

The Guardian

A modest increase of high-risk behavior in countries with expanded treatment programs -- like a 10percentt decline in condom use -- could substantially worsen the epidemic.

The New York Times

Britain's dominant services sector, which contributes about four fifths of GDP and covers sectors from banking to retail, saw a modest increase of 0.1% on the month.

The Guardian - Business

An open landscape dominated by steppe vegetation characterized the Lateglacial, so that only a modest increase of trees took place during the Allerød interstadial.

Quaternary International

The departure of 225,000 temporary census workers from the federal government's payrolls outweighed a modest increase of 83,000 in private-sector employment.

The Economist

One proposal floated Monday afternoon by the Persian Gulf members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries called for a modest increase of 500,000 barrels a day.

The New York Times

The decision on the oil stocks came the same day that Saudi Arabia announced a modest increase of 300,000 barrels a day in its oil production as President Bush visited the oil-rich kingdom.

The New York Times

The Ministry of Justice said the measures would also mean that estates worth less than £50,000 – 57% of the total – would pay no fees, while a further 27% would incur a "modest" increase of £85 to £300.

The Guardian - Money

After its last meeting, in September, OPEC decided to increase oil production by 500,000 barrels a day, a modest increase of 2percentt in the group's total output.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add variety to your writing, consider replacing the phrase with synonyms such as "a slight increase in" or "a small rise in", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest increase of" when the actual increase is significant. This can create a false impression and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest increase of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a noun or verb to describe the degree of change. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest increase of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe a small or moderate rise in quantity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in scientific and news publications. The phrase functions to qualify the extent of the increase. When employing this phrase, it's essential to ensure that the context accurately reflects the modest nature of the change to maintain clarity and avoid misleading the audience. While perfectly valid, alternative phrases such as "a slight increase in" or "a small rise in" can add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight increase in

Focuses on the small degree of change, emphasizing the minimal nature of the increase.

a small rise in

Uses "rise" instead of "increase", suggesting a natural or gradual upward movement.

a marginal growth in

Replaces "increase" with "growth", which may be more suitable in business or economic contexts.

a limited expansion of

Emphasizes the restricted or contained nature of the increase.

a gentle uptick in

More informal, suggesting a slight and positive change.

a tempered escalation of

Formal, implying a controlled or restrained increase.

a mild augmentation of

Uses "augmentation" for a more technical or formal tone, suggesting a supplementing increase.

a measured increment in

Suggests that the increase is carefully calculated or controlled.

a conservative boost to

Implies a cautious or moderate positive impact.

a fractional elevation of

Highlights the small, almost negligible, nature of the increase.

FAQs

How can I use "a modest increase of" in a sentence?

You can use "a modest increase of" to describe a slight rise in something, for example: "The company reported "a modest increase of" 2% in profits."

What are some alternatives to "a modest increase of"?

Alternatives include "a slight increase in", "a small rise in", or "a marginal growth in" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a modest increase of" or "a modest increase in"?

Both "a modest increase of" and "a modest increase in" are grammatically correct, but "a modest increase in" is more common when referring to a general area. "A modest increase of" is typically followed by a specific quantity or measurement.

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

"A modest increase of" indicates a small or moderate rise, while "a significant increase of" implies a much larger and more impactful change.