a modest percentage

USAGE SUMMARY

'a modest percentage' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small but meaningful amount of something. For example, "Although a modest percentage of students failed the exam, the majority passed with flying colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Oil-spill cleanups are considered successful if they remove a modest percentage of the oil.

The Guardian

The legislature's health committee chairman, Jeffrey Toback, said the deficits were a modest percentage.

The New York Times

Though the sales make up a modest percentage of the business, they are growing.

The New York Times

Homestead benefits vary widely, from a modest percentage reduction in the assessed value of property to its full market value.

The New York Times

Senator Olympia J. Snowe, Republican of Maine, said the $80 billion commitment amounted to "a modest percentage" of national spending on prescription drugs.

The New York Times - Health

"The only way forward is to distribute your content across as many platforms as you can at a modest percentage, uploading content yourself," he says.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This seems to us a remarkably modest percentage, it being incomparably more valuable to live in a free country than even the best remodelled brownstone in the world.

The New Yorker

But the report shows that social protection measures at a basic level – of the kind comprising the floor – can be kept within a relatively modest percentage of national income even in severely resource-constrained countries.

The Guardian

"If you can get a percentage – and I'm not talking about half, I'm talking about a relatively modest percentage of these new fans – to give Major League Soccer, or even a foreign league, a chance, like I did four years ago, then that's going to be good progress," says D'Amico. "And I think that if the US advances further out here, it could really be a serious impact.

The Guardian - Sport

What's notable is that, while ecommerce continues to grow quickly, it comprises a relatively modest percentage of aggregate shopping in the United States — just over 7percentt.

TechCrunch

Many animal studies have shown that drugs administered via the IN route can enter the brain, although a relatively modest percentage of those studies present quantitative PK data to confirm the extent of direct nose-to-brain transport (9, 10).

AAPS Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Quantify what you mean by "modest" if possible, in terms of the specific range or order of magnitude that you are alluding to (Example: 'less than 5%').

Common error

Avoid using "a modest percentage" when the actual percentage is insignificant or negligible. If the percentage is truly small, consider using terms like "a tiny fraction" or "a negligible portion" instead, to more accurately reflect the amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest percentage" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically quantifying a portion of a whole. It's used to describe an amount that is not large but still noteworthy. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is used correctly in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a modest percentage" is a versatile quantifier used to describe a small yet meaningful portion of a whole. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains, including news, science, and formal business settings. While the term's subjectivity requires careful contextualization to avoid ambiguity, it provides a convenient way to express proportions that are not substantial but still relevant. Remember to quantify or provide context when you can to avoid being vague. Alternatives such as ""a small proportion"" or ""a limited amount"" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small proportion

Replaces 'percentage' with 'proportion', emphasizing the relative amount within a whole.

a slight fraction

Substitutes both 'modest' and 'percentage' for terms suggesting an even smaller quantity.

a limited amount

Focuses on the quantity being restricted rather than its proportional relationship.

a moderate share

Uses 'share' to convey a portion, implying something is being divided.

a reasonable fraction

Highlights the acceptability or justification of the portion.

a conservative estimate

Emphasizes the cautious nature of the amount being specified.

a marginal quantity

Suggests the amount is barely significant or impactful.

a nominal portion

Highlights the insignificance of the quantity.

a slim segment

Uses 'segment' to refer to the part of a whole, which may emphasize a statistical view.

a touch

This alternative is a colloquial way to indicate a minimal or small amount.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest percentage" to describe a small but meaningful portion of something. For example, "A modest percentage of the population uses public transportation", or "The company allocated "a modest percentage of its profits" to research and development".

What are some alternatives to "a modest percentage"?

Some alternatives include "a small proportion", "a slight fraction", "a limited amount", or "a moderate share". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it subjective to describe something as "a modest percentage"?

Yes, what constitutes "a modest percentage" can be subjective and depend on the context. A percentage considered modest in one situation might be significant in another. Always provide context to avoid ambiguity.

How does "a modest percentage" compare to "a significant percentage"?

"A modest percentage" indicates a relatively small amount, whereas "a significant percentage" implies a notable or substantial amount. The distinction depends on the context and what is considered important or impactful in that situation.