a modest left

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest left" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a political stance or position that is slightly left-leaning or not extreme in its leftist ideology. Example: "The candidate's platform represents a modest left approach, appealing to both progressive and moderate voters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The question that he had to face, he writes, was: "Now that I am no longer a soldier, who am I?" "I am a man who comes from a different universe," Mr. Moulessehoul, a small wiry man with a grave manner, explained over coffee in a modest Left Bank hotel.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

However, Thr441Ser channels displayed a WT-like GV whereas Thr442Ser channels displayed a modest left-shifted activation relationship, yet both had inactivation behaviors similar to WT channels, supporting the notion that the hydroxyl moieties at positions 441 and 442 support normal pore function (in addition to the proposed role of the Thr442 methyl group in ion binding (Rossi et al., 2013)).

eLife

Although visual inspection of the resulting I-O curves (Fig. 6E) suggests a modest left-ward trend of the relationship towards increased excitability for δ0/0 relative to WT recordings, this did not reach statistical significance (F5,215 = 1.46, P = 0.20, mixed anova).

European Journal of Neuroscience

Pietersen took guard in a trice, a captain bursting to sort out the mess, but India's captain shrewdly taunted him by bringing on Yuvraj Singh's modest left-arm slows for the third over.

The Guardian - Sport

But Yuvraj dismissed him twice for low scores when England visited India in 2008, and Pietersen has never quite shaken off the suspicion that he is vulnerable to modest left-arm spin.

The New York Times - Sports

Solutions range from the modest — left-turn lanes at popular crossroads — to the more ambitious, such as a shuttle to take visitors down Sycamore Canyon Road to Pfeiffer Beach, one of most popular destinations.

Los Angeles Times

Substrate Selectivity = (ATF2 IC50)/(MK2 IC50) The modest left-shift predicted and experimentally observed in phospho-ATF2 in50 in the classical inhibitors is due to the effect of MK2 on p38's ability to phosphorylate ATF2.

BMC Systems Biology

The modest increase in pulmonary artery wedge pressure, implying a modest increase in left atrial pressure, and the eventual decline in cardiac output, presumably indicate an effect of etorphine on the heart itself.

BMC Veterinary Research

Overall, the intervention group saw a modest improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) [mean LVEF 25% at baseline to 31% at twelve months (p < 0.01)] relative to the control group [mean LVEF26%% at baseline to 28% at twelve months (p = 0.36)].

BioMed Research International

He tells me he lives a modest life in Stockton-on-Tees and classes himself as a left-wing socialist.

Vice

A modest bite on the left of the sun grew, turning it into a deep crescent.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a political position, use "a modest left" to indicate a leaning that isn't extreme or radical.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest left" to suggest weakness or lack of conviction. It denotes moderation, not necessarily a lack of strength in one's beliefs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest left" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun (implied or stated). According to Ludwig, it is used to describe a political stance that is slightly left-leaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest left" is a phrase used to describe a political position or stance that leans slightly to the left, without being extreme or radical. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English. While its usage is not very frequent, it appears in reputable news and scientific sources. Alternatives such as "a slightly left-leaning position" or "a moderately liberal stance" can be used to convey a similar meaning. When using "a modest left", ensure it is used to denote moderation and not to imply weakness or a lack of conviction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slightly left-leaning position

Replaces "modest" with "slightly left-leaning", emphasizing the direction more directly and making it more specific.

a moderately liberal stance

Substitutes "left" with "liberal" and "modest" with "moderately", highlighting a position that is not extreme but still progressive.

a gently leftward drift

Emphasizes the idea of movement or a gradual shift, rather than a static position.

a softly progressive inclination

Highlights the progressive aspect while downplaying any radical connotations.

a subtly leftist bent

Focuses on the underlying influence or tendency towards left-wing ideals.

a balanced left approach

Suggests a deliberate effort to find equilibrium within left-leaning ideologies.

a somewhat socialist viewpoint

Implies a degree of adherence to socialist principles, but not necessarily a full commitment.

a tempered left perspective

Indicates a measured and controlled approach to left-wing ideas.

a conservative left ideology

Presents a seemingly contradictory pairing, suggesting a left-wing ideology that values tradition and stability.

a democratic socialist tendency

Specifies a particular type of left-leaning ideology focused on democratic principles and socialist policies.

FAQs

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

Use "a modest left" to describe a political stance or a viewpoint that leans towards the left but is not extreme. For example, "The candidate advocates for "a modest left" approach to economic reform".

What are some alternatives to "a modest left"?

You can use alternatives like "a slightly left-leaning position", "a moderately liberal stance", or "a gently leftward drift" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "a modest left" is appropriate in formal writing when you need to accurately describe a political position that is moderately left-leaning. Ensure the context supports the use of such language.

What's the difference between "a modest left" and "a radical left"?

"A modest left" implies a moderate, less extreme left-leaning position, whereas "a radical left" suggests a more extreme, transformative political stance. The former seeks gradual changes, while the latter often advocates for fundamental societal shifts.