a modest person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is humble and does not boast about their achievements or qualities. Example: "Despite her numerous accolades, she remains a modest person who prefers to let her work speak for itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Lilly is a modest person.

The New York Times - Sports

King describes Suggs as a modest person who prefers to work privately.

The New Yorker

Peacock, like many of the hardest men in league, is a modest person.

The Guardian - Sport

He was a modest person with a natural courtesy and a beautiful wit.

The New Yorker

I'm a modest person bent on privacy and lonely sadness, so I have very few friends.

The New Yorker

"He is a modest person and an intelligent footballer, who works hard.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

He remembers Walter as "an unassuming, a very modest person" who was nevertheless "very proud to have gone to Cornell". As a WWII veteran he served as a navy pilot Walter attended Cornell on the GI Bill of Rights and with financial support from the Law School.

Cornell University

"I'm not a particularly modest person, but there's a big difference between running around in ridiculous outfits at Burning Man and hooping in your tighty-whities in downtown L.A.," Mr. Hagen said.

The New York Times

He is a very modest person and it is not a fake modesty.

The Guardian

This genius is a humble, modest person.

The Guardian - Film

"Despite having so much going for her, she's a very modest person".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "a modest person", provide specific examples of their behavior that demonstrate their humility and lack of boastfulness.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a modest person" lacks confidence or ambition. Modesty is about how one presents oneself, not necessarily about one's inner qualities or capabilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest person" functions as a noun phrase that serves as a subject complement or object complement within a sentence. Ludwig examples show it's often used after linking verbs like "is" or "was" to describe someone's character. This aligns with the Ludwig AI assessment indicating grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a modest person" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe someone who exhibits humility and avoids boastfulness. According to Ludwig and its AI, the phrase is correct and effectively conveys a sense of reservedness and lack of pretension. While commonly found in news and media, it also appears in academic and wiki contexts. Alternatives like "a humble individual" or "an unassuming person" can offer nuanced variations. When using this phrase, remember that modesty shouldn't be mistaken for weakness, and providing specific examples of behavior can strengthen the description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A humble individual

Replaces "modest" with "humble", emphasizing a sense of low self-importance.

An unassuming person

Focuses on the lack of pretension or showiness in the person's character.

A self-effacing person

Highlights the tendency to downplay one's own achievements.

A reserved individual

Emphasizes a quiet and restrained nature.

A demure person

Suggests shyness and a retiring nature, particularly in women.

A simple person

Focuses on the lack of complexity or affectation in character.

A meek person

Implies submissiveness and a gentle nature.

A retiring person

Highlights a preference for solitude and avoiding attention.

A diffident person

Suggests a lack of self-confidence and hesitation in social situations.

A grounded individual

Indicates a realistic and sensible nature, without arrogance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest person" to describe someone who doesn't brag or show off, for example: "Despite her many accomplishments, she remained "a modest person"."

What are some synonyms for "a modest person"?

Alternatives include "a humble individual", "an unassuming person", or "a self-effacing person" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always a positive trait to be "a modest person"?

While modesty is often seen as a virtue, excessive modesty can sometimes be detrimental. It's important to strike a balance between humility and self-promotion, especially in professional settings.

What's the difference between "a modest person" and "a shy person"?

While there can be overlap, modesty refers to how someone presents their accomplishments, while shyness relates to their comfort in social situations. Someone can be "a modest person" without being shy, and vice versa. A shy person might be confident about their abilities but struggle to express themselves, whereas "a modest person" may purposefully downplay their achievements.