a modest relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship that is not overly intense or significant, often implying a sense of humility or simplicity. Example: "Their friendship was a modest relationship, built on mutual respect and shared interests rather than grand gestures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This despite the fact that scientific studies have shown only a modest relationship between mental health issues and violence, "a relationship that is largely attributable to co-occurring substance abuse," wrote a team of authors led by Bernice A. Pescosolido, a sociologist at Indiana University.

The New York Times

"Being successful appears to have only a modest relationship to happiness," he says.

Huffington Post

The EIB+ group had a slightly lower methacholine PC20 than the EIB− group (P = 0.01), resulting in a modest relationship between the maximum fall in FEV1 after exercise challenge and the methacholine PC20 (r2 = 0.43, P = 0.01).

Plosone

After these factors were controlled for, there was a modest relationship between admission diagnosis and GE (r = 0.48; P = 0.02).

Critical Care

Nevertheless, intra-subject correlations only range from 0.38 to 0.50 – which is only a modest relationship but still higher than for many other questions.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

We find that there is only a modest relationship between the mean alignment length of a category and evidence (P-value) of positive selection.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Our findings supported the hypothesis, indicating the existence of a significant, albeit modest, relationship between average word frequency from the AN test and design frequency.

Brain Informatics

It has been argued that there is a significant, yet modest relationship, between severe mental illness such as affective disorders and violence [ 4].

BMC Psychiatry

In this study we demonstrated a significant but modest relationship between the RGCs function using steady-state PERG and some structural measures such as GCC and RNFL measured by OCT (see Table 4).

BioMed Research International

A realistic response and modest relationship was also found when partitioned λE components (λEE and λET) were compared to the observed soil moisture and rainfall.

Remote Sensing of Environment

We did observe a significant positive, although modest, relationship between maternal plasma and urine cortisol levels.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest relationship", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific variables or factors involved. For example, instead of stating "there is a modest relationship", specify "there is a modest relationship between X and Y".

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "a modest relationship". Clearly acknowledge its limited impact, and don't imply a stronger connection than what the evidence supports.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest relationship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the degree of association between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest relationship" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a connection that is present but not strong or highly significant. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this term serves to temper expectations and avoid overstating any potential connections between items. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, emphasizing clarity and proper contextual application to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "a slight connection" or "a limited correlation" can be employed to express similar ideas with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight connection

This alternative emphasizes a minimal link or association.

a limited correlation

This suggests that two or more things co-relate in a restricted manner.

a weak association

This indicates a connection that is not very strong or reliable.

a tenuous link

This implies the relationship is fragile or easily broken.

a marginal effect

This suggests the relationship results in only a small or barely noticeable impact.

a minor influence

This highlights that the impact is small or insignificant.

a gentle association

The link between the two variables is smooth, not intense.

a controlled impact

The effect the relationship has is limited.

an indirect influence

The variables are not so obviously linked.

a subtle correlation

The relationship between the items has slight, delicate changes.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest relationship" to describe a connection that is not strong or significant. For example, "The study found "a modest relationship" between exercise and weight loss".

What are some alternatives to "a modest relationship"?

Alternatives include "a slight connection", "a limited correlation", or "a weak association" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a modest relationship" or "a strong relationship"?

The choice depends on the actual strength of the connection you are describing. Use "a modest relationship" if the connection is limited or not particularly impactful; use "a strong relationship" if the connection is significant and influential.

What does "a modest relationship" imply about the correlation between two variables?

It implies that the correlation between the variables is present but not substantial. There might be some connection, but it is not a dominant or highly influential factor.