a modest negative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest negative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or mild negative aspect or response in a discussion or analysis. Example: "While the overall feedback was positive, there was a modest negative regarding the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

News Corp reported the division had a "modest, negative impact" on its third-quarter revenue.

The Guardian - Business

"It is plausible that Brexit could have a modest negative impact on growth and job creation.

Independent

"The delay is a modest negative," Michael T. Regan, an analyst with Credit Suisse First Boston, said.

The New York Times

The report, by consultancy Capital Economics, concluded: "It is plausible that Brexit could have a modest negative impact on growth and job creation.

The Guardian

David Lewis, an analyst with Morgan Stanley, characterized the results as a "modest negative" for Medtronic, which already is struggling to defend its market share.

The New York Times

"Japan's sales represent about a billion of our $28 billion-plus revenues, so the devaluation of the yen is viewed as a modest negative for us," Irvin Lipp, a spokesman for DuPont, said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

That all mutant proteins exhibit a comparable modest negative cooperativity is also consistent with a common mode of binding.

Biochemistry

The observed pattern of correlations in twins sharing 0, 1 and 2 haplotypes IBD is in fact opposite to that expected in the presence of such a locus, and our data are only consistent with a very modest negative slope in the Haseman Elston regression.

British Journal of Cancer

The company's shares fell more than 10percentt in the wake of the news, but have since recovered to a more modest negative 8percentt.

TechCrunch

Results: There was a significant modest negative association between the level of parental education and back pain in children but not in adolescents.

Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics

Our results show that cART interruption after transient cART started during PHI has a significant, albeit modest negative impact on CD4 count reconstitution after cART resumption, an encouraging finding in the context of therapeutic trials attempting to induce PTC status.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest negative" to accurately portray situations where the negative aspect is present but not significant, avoiding exaggeration or undue alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest negative" when the situation warrants a stronger term. Ensure the adjective "modest" accurately reflects the scale of the negative impact; otherwise, opt for more definitive terms like "significant negative" or "major drawback."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest negative" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "negative". It is used to qualify or describe the extent of a negative aspect or effect. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English to describe a small or mild negative aspect.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modest negative" is a useful and grammatically correct expression for describing a slight or limited negative impact. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and science, as evidenced by the provided examples. When using this phrase, ensure that the adjective "modest" accurately reflects the scale of the negative impact to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives such as "a slight disadvantage" or "a minor drawback" can be used to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis. Remember to avoid overstating the negative impact and to maintain consistency in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight disadvantage

Replaces "negative" with a synonym that emphasizes the unfavorable aspect, while "slight" maintains the modest scale.

a minor drawback

Substitutes "negative" with "drawback", indicating a limitation or imperfection, and uses "minor" to reflect the modest impact.

a limited downside

Replaces "modest negative" with a direct antonym of upside potential, maintaining the sense of a small undesirable effect.

a marginal setback

Emphasizes a temporary delay or hindrance, using "marginal" to describe its limited impact.

a small adverse effect

Replaces "negative" with "adverse effect", which is more formal, and uses "small" to keep the impact modest.

a negligible downside

Indicates that the negative aspect is so small as to be practically unimportant or easily disregarded.

a tempered pessimism

Highlights a limited or restrained outlook of negativity or unfavorable expectations.

a contained problem

Emphasizes the managed and controlled nature of the negative issue, suggesting it's not widespread or escalating.

a subdued concern

Highlights a restrained or moderate level of worry or apprehension, indicating it's not a major issue.

a restrained pessimism

Implies a controlled or held-back feeling of negativity, suggesting it's not expressed openly or strongly.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest negative" to describe a situation where there's a slight unfavorable impact, like: "The new policy had "a modest negative impact" on employee morale."

What are some alternatives to saying "a modest negative"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a slight disadvantage", "a minor drawback", or "a limited downside", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a modest negative" or "a slightly negative"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "a modest negative" often implies a more considered judgment, while "a slightly negative" might suggest a more casual observation. The best choice depends on the formality and precision required in the context.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a modest negative"?

Avoid using "a modest negative" when the negative impact is actually significant or substantial. The phrase is most effective when accurately portraying a minor or limited downside.