a modest interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or moderate level of curiosity or concern about a particular subject or topic. Example: "She expressed a modest interest in learning more about the project, but she wasn't ready to commit to it yet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And the winner was the candidate who anyone with even a modest interest in the contest could have predicted.

The New York Times

As the lira fell in the weeks before the June election he was persuaded by his senior officials to agree to a modest interest rate hike.

The New York Times

Investors also have the right to buy back the government stake at the original price plus a modest interest charge within three years.The results have been impressive.

The Economist

In simple terms local government bonds work like any other investment, an investor ties up capital for a fixed period of time, and in return receives a modest interest on the original investment.

The Guardian

She said she had had just a modest interest in politics, rejected the group's violent agenda, and had acted merely out of fear that, if her friends were caught, the police might kill them.

The New York Times

Here's what happened: The central bank, anxious to avoid any appearance that it is, in effect, printing money and risking inflation, routinely "sterilizes" its purchases of government bonds by taking deposits from euro area commercial banks, which receive a modest interest rate in return.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

This offers another tool to fight inflation: a more rapid appreciation in the yuan alongside a modest interest-rate rise could curb imported inflation and cause less harm to domestic demand.

The Economist

If you flip the property, all the fancy footwork with the components gets you only a modest interest-free loan from the government.

Forbes

(The straight-line portion of the depreciation gets recaptured and taxed at 25%; further profits get the 15% long-term rate). If you flip the property, all the fancy footwork with the components gets you only a modest interest-free loan from the government.

Forbes

In buying on margin, an investor borrows money from a broker to buy stock, paying a relatively modest interest rate and using the stock as collateral.

The New York Times

As some registered persons would see it, Church made out okay: essentially getting a three-year loan of about $107,000 at a relatively modest interest rate.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest interest", ensure the context clearly defines what the interest is directed towards to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest interest" when the level of engagement is actually high or significant; choose a more appropriate phrase like "strong interest" or "keen interest" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest interest" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the degree or extent of attention or curiosity someone has towards a subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest interest" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a small or moderate level of curiosity or engagement. According to Ludwig, it effectively communicates a limited degree of concern or attention. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. While "a modest interest" is widely accepted, it's important to choose alternative phrases like "a slight interest" or "a limited interest" when a more precise description of the interest level is needed. Being mindful of the context ensures accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight interest

Indicates an even weaker level of interest than "a modest interest".

a limited interest

Implies that the interest is not extensive or far-reaching.

a mild interest

Suggests a gentle or subdued level of interest.

a casual interest

Suggests an informal and not very serious level of interest.

a passing interest

Indicates a temporary or fleeting interest.

a low interest

Quantifies the level of interest as being at the lower end of the spectrum.

a superficial interest

Implies that the interest is only on the surface and lacks depth.

a restrained interest

Highlights the controlled or suppressed nature of the interest.

a negligible interest

Indicates that the interest is so small as to be almost insignificant.

a minimal interest

Suggests the smallest possible amount of interest.

FAQs

What does "a modest interest" mean?

The phrase "a modest interest" refers to a small or moderate amount of curiosity, concern, or engagement in something. It suggests a level of interest that is neither intense nor completely absent.

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

You can use "a modest interest" to describe someone's attitude towards a subject. For example: "She showed "a modest interest" in the topic, asking a few questions but not delving too deeply."

What can I say instead of "a modest interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight interest", "a limited interest", or "a casual interest" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a modest interest on" something or "a modest interest in" something?

While both prepositions can be used, "in" is the standard and more common choice when referring to a topic or subject. For example, "He had "a modest interest" in history." The preposition "on" is usually reserved for financial contexts (i.e. "a modest interest on the investment").