a modest question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to introduce a question that you believe is simple or not overly demanding. Example: "I have a modest question regarding the project timeline that I hope you can clarify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A modest question arises, however: If great literature is so great, why is it that if you act on anything great literature tells you about life, you're in big trouble?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

A modest query and a vast question.

The Guardian - Books

I have a few modest questions about that.

Huffington Post

The cautious move for the justices would have been to hear just one of the cases they were asked to consider, the one posing the relatively modest question of whether the federal government can discriminate against same-sex couples married in the places that allow such unions.

The New York Times

Now the progressive debate has been reduced to whether the likely final version (via Sen. Baucus) will be slightly better or significantly worse than today's status quo - and sadly, we can't know the answer to even that modest question yet.

Huffington Post

And there are modest questions about a score of others.

The New York Times

In these comments, I raise modest questions about the logical constitution of an evaluation theory and about what is missing from a textual reading alone of such theory.

Evaluation and Program Planning

Although the bleeding risk is modest, questions have arisen about treatment with DrotAA in patients predisposed to bleeding such as those with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Critical Care

Vague words such as "associated impact" and "long term" purposefully confound a modest revenue recognition question with a much bigger problem.

The Guardian - Tech

The few double-blind trials with a reasonable sample size are restricted to bipolar I patients and address a modest range of questions mostly related to use of lithium.

Biological Psychiatry

Now 65percentthinknk that gay sex should be legal -- a modest majority for a question concerning very basic aspects of privacy and equality.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modest question" to introduce a query that you perceive as simple or not requiring extensive deliberation.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of the phrase "a modest question" in formal settings may sound insincere or condescending. Consider using more direct language like "a simple question" or "a straightforward inquiry" in business or academic writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest question" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "question". As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to introduce an inquiry perceived as simple or undemanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest question" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a simple or undemanding inquiry. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase serves to minimize the perceived complexity of the question. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts. Alternatives include "a simple question" or "a small inquiry". Be mindful of overuse in highly formal settings, where more direct language may be preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple question

Replaces "modest" with "simple", emphasizing ease of understanding.

a small query

Substitutes "question" with "query", suggesting a formal inquiry.

a minor inquiry

Replaces "modest" with "minor", indicating the question's insignificance.

a gentle question

Uses "gentle" instead of "modest", implying a non-intrusive query.

an unassuming question

Replaces "modest" with "unassuming", suggesting a lack of pretension.

a straightforward question

Uses "straightforward" instead of "modest", focusing on directness.

a basic question

Substitutes "modest" with "basic", indicating the fundamental nature of the question.

a humble inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry" and "modest" with "humble", conveying deference.

a brief question

Uses "brief" instead of "modest", implying a short and concise query.

a slight question

Replaces "modest" with "slight", emphasizing the question's minimal impact.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest question" to preface a simple inquiry. For example, "I have "a modest question" regarding the report's conclusion."

What can I say instead of "a modest question"?

You can use alternatives like "a simple question", "a small inquiry", or "a minor query" depending on the context.

Is "a modest question" formal or informal?

"A modest question" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's often more suitable for scenarios where you want to downplay the complexity of the inquiry. In highly formal settings, consider using more direct alternatives.

What's the difference between "a modest question" and "a difficult question"?

"A modest question" implies the query is straightforward and easily answerable, while "a difficult question" suggests the opposite. The choice depends on the actual complexity of the question.