a modest royalty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest royalty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a reasonable or moderate payment made to an author, artist, or inventor for the use of their work or intellectual property. Example: "The author received a modest royalty for each book sold, which allowed her to continue writing without financial stress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Steidl typically pays his artists a modest royalty up front.

The New Yorker

The United States bought it from Denmark and paid Carter-Wallace a modest royalty.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

After a while, the modest royalty checks that kept coming were like found money; selective memory had largely blanked out the years of reporting, research and writing that went into producing the book.

The New York Times - Books

Working unexplored oil basins and paying a modest 20% royalty to the Colombian government, those ventures now generate 10% of Lewis' output.

Forbes

For Big Pharma, licensing a neglected drug to a smaller company may produce only modest royalties.

The New York Times

Mr. Peel is unmarried with no children and lives in a rent-stabilized apartment on Avenue B. He survives on modest royalties, small gig fees and the sale of old and current records.

The New York Times

Gilead may benefit, he noted, because it may now get modest royalties from sales in countries where it never bothered to take out patents.

The New York Times - Health

The sudden scrutiny may thus be intended to ensure that Qualcomm asks only modest royalties of Chinese handset-makers.All of this suggests the cost of Mr Snowden's revelations has been modest.

The Economist

So I scraped together my modest royalties, and went to the Rekall Corporation.

Huffington Post

York Cottage was a modest house for royalty, but it was a favourite of George, who liked a relatively simple life.

Wikipedia

Robert P. Blackburn, chief patent counsel for Chiron, said the company's patents were available for drug discovery to all comers for a modest upfront fee and royalties if a drug made it to market.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial agreements, be precise about the percentage or amount that constitutes the "modest royalty". Context is crucial.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest royalty" to describe payments that are actually substantial. This can mislead stakeholders about the financial implications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest royalty" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "royalty". It describes the nature or size of the royalty payment. Ludwig AI shows that it typically refers to a royalty that is not large or excessive.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest royalty" is a phrase used to describe a royalty payment that is considered reasonable or not excessive. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's crucial to be precise about the actual amount or percentage being referred to and avoid overstating its significance. Related phrases like "a small royalty payment" or "a reasonable royalty" can offer subtle differences in emphasis. When writing, ensure the context accurately reflects the size of the payment to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small royalty payment

Emphasizes the small size of the royalty.

a reasonable royalty

Focuses on the fairness and acceptability of the royalty amount.

a fair royalty

Similar to 'reasonable royalty', but emphasizes the justice of the payment.

a nominal royalty

Indicates that the royalty is very small or symbolic.

a reduced royalty rate

Specifies that the percentage or amount of the royalty is lower than usual.

a discounted royalty

Suggests a temporary reduction in the royalty rate.

a standard royalty

Implies that the royalty is typical or customary for the industry.

a conventional royalty

Similar to 'standard royalty', indicating an established practice.

a customary royalty

Again, similar to 'standard royalty', emphasizing the traditional nature.

a basic royalty

Suggests the simplest or most fundamental form of royalty payment.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest royalty" to describe a reasonable payment to an author, artist, or inventor. For example, "The company paid the inventor "a modest royalty" for the use of his patented technology".

What's the difference between "a modest royalty" and "a substantial royalty"?

"A modest royalty" refers to a small or reasonable payment, while "a substantial royalty" implies a significant or large payment. The choice depends on the actual amount and its relative importance.

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

Alternatives include "a small royalty payment", "a reasonable royalty", or "a fair royalty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever appropriate to use "a modest royalty" sarcastically?

Yes, it could be used sarcastically if the royalty is, in fact, very high, to create irony or humor. However, this should be done with caution to avoid misinterpretation.