a modest modification

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest modification" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or minor change made to something, such as a document, plan, or design. Example: "After reviewing the proposal, I believe a modest modification would improve its clarity and effectiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

IT might seem only a modest modification to a Web site.

The New York Times

Therefore, implementation of MC MDT requires only a modest modification of conventional HMM-based recognizers.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A more modest modification would retain the relation between Effort Expended and moral worth, but add the necessity of the effort expended as a modifier of this relation.

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice

A modest design modification can change this.

Bioconjugate Chemistry

The redesigns reported here comprise modest modification to the original designs for CKM E921) to accommodate the change in beam flux, momentum, and momentum bite of the primary beam.

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Yet if cars were not used for daily purposes in Macao, these road links would nevertheless be adequate to get cars in and out of Macao, with modest modification of the road network in peninsular Macao.

City, Territory and Architecture

We also observed modest modification of FLIP and caspase-8.

Cell Death and Disease

These compounds contained modest modifications to the C ring of the scaffold but retained hydroxyl substitutions in the A and B rings.

ACS Chemical Biology

But many of them fear that party leaders may instead opt for only modest modifications.

The New York Times

Then there are the owners who are willing to tolerate more modest modifications to the collective bargaining agreement.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Martens said that existing treatment sites for nonhazardous waste are more plentiful and could safely handle wastewater from drilling with "modest" modifications in their operations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest modification", ensure the context reflects the change's relative unimportance. If the change is significant, consider stronger terms like "major overhaul" or "substantial revision".

Common error

Avoid using "a modest modification" when describing a change that significantly alters the outcome or functionality. This can mislead the audience and diminish the actual impact of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest modification" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or subject complement within a sentence. It describes an alteration that is not extensive or radical, emphasizing its limited scope. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest modification" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small or minor change. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's relatively rare. Its usage is most common in scientific and news contexts. To ensure clarity, use this phrase when the change is genuinely insignificant and avoid overstating its impact. Consider alternatives like "a slight adjustment" or "a minor alteration" for similar meanings. The phrase conveys a neutral to formal tone, making it suitable for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight adjustment

Changes the noun to "adjustment" and uses the adjective "slight" instead of "modest", emphasizing a minimal change.

a minor alteration

Substitutes "modification" with "alteration" and "modest" with "minor", highlighting the insignificance of the change.

a small change

Replaces both "modest" and "modification" with simpler terms, emphasizing the reduced scale of the adjustment.

a limited adjustment

Uses "limited" to describe the scope of the "adjustment", suggesting constraints on the modification.

a subtle variation

Employs "subtle" and "variation" to convey an almost imperceptible change.

a gentle revision

Presents the change as a "revision" that is "gentle", indicating a light touch in the amending process.

a conservative amendment

Describes the "amendment" as "conservative", meaning cautious and minimal.

a marginal adjustment

Uses "marginal" to indicate that the "adjustment" is at the edge or border and not substantial.

a tempered revision

Highlights the controlled and restrained nature of the "revision".

a restrained alteration

Emphasizes the careful and controlled aspect of the "alteration".

FAQs

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

Use "a modest modification" to describe a small or minor change made to something. For example, "The software update required only "a modest modification" to the existing code base".

What are some alternatives to "a modest modification"?

Alternatives include "a slight adjustment", "a minor alteration", or "a small change", all indicating a relatively insignificant alteration.

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

Yes, "a modest modification" is suitable for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and conveys a clear meaning. Its formality aligns with professional and academic contexts.

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

"A modest modification" suggests a minor alteration, whereas "a significant change" implies a substantial difference or impact. The choice depends on the degree of alteration you wish to convey.