a modest selection of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest selection of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited variety of items or options available in a particular context. Example: "The café offers a modest selection of pastries, including croissants and muffins."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Clean fish tanks hold a modest selection of sea creatures.

The New York Times

A modest selection of wines, mostly from Italy and California, is somewhat overpriced, with few bottles under $40.

The New York Times

There is a modest selection of caps, but none, as there were at the Atlanta Olympics, with beer cans attached.

The New York Times - Sports

A modest selection of moderately priced domestic and imported wines is well chosen to match this feisty food.

The New York Times

The countertop mini-bar had a modest selection of artisanal liquors, like gin from Alameda's St . George Spirits

The New York Times - Travel

There is also a modest selection of wines ($6 to $10 by the glass; bottles start at $18).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

We also investigated whether our selection of transcription factors gave good coverage of all cell type-specific regulatory elements in the human genome and found that a relatively modest selection of factors was sufficient to cover 90% of the annotated promoters for transcribed genes.

BMC Biology

The restaurant serves only bottled wines, a modest selection, but it offers a good range of beers.

The New York Times - Travel

Modest selection of mostly vintage Spanish wines, $30 to $65. Wines by the glass, $8 and $9.

The New York Times

The modest selection of fish, including tilapia, salmon and swordfish, is supplied by Tony and Sons' Seafood, just down the road.

The New York Times

There are poems here, too, from a further three collections, including a somewhat modest selection from Reid's moving series of poems about the death of his wife, A Scattering, which won the 2009 Costa Book of the Year award.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modest selection of", ensure the context clearly indicates that the quantity or variety is intentionally limited, rather than suggesting a deficiency. It is best used when the limitation is a deliberate choice or a known constraint.

Common error

Avoid using "a modest selection of" when the actual selection is abundant or comprehensive. This can create a false impression and confuse your audience. Instead, reserve this phrase for situations where the limited nature of the selection is a key point.

Linguistic Context

"A modest selection of" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a determiner phrase followed by a noun phrase, to quantify and describe a set of items. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest selection of" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a limited number of items or options. It is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and conveys a sense of restraint in quantity or variety. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is appropriate for formal and informal settings, it’s important to ensure the limited nature of the selection is accurately represented to avoid misleading the audience. Alternatives like ""a limited assortment of"" or ""a small array of"" can be used to provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited assortment of

Replaces "modest" with "limited" and "selection" with "assortment", emphasizing the restricted quantity and variety.

a limited choice of

Replaces "selection" with "choice", focusing on a small set of options available.

a small array of

Uses "small" instead of "modest" and "array" instead of "selection", highlighting the limited number and organized arrangement.

a restricted range of

Substitutes "modest" with "restricted" and "selection" with "range", focusing on the constrained scope of available options.

a narrow collection of

Replaces "modest" with "narrow" and "selection" with "collection", emphasizing the limited scope and gathered nature of the items.

a finite number of

Uses "finite number" to replace "a modest selection", stressing the limited and countable quantity.

a curtailed set of

Substitutes "modest" with "curtailed" and "selection" with "set", emphasizing the reduced or limited nature of the group.

a contained compilation of

Replaces "modest selection" with "contained compilation," focusing on a limited and deliberately assembled group.

a sparse offering of

Substitutes "modest" with "sparse" and "selection" with "offering", highlighting the limited and thinly distributed availability.

a slight accumulation of

Replaces "modest" with "slight" and "selection" with "accumulation", emphasizing the small and gradually gathered amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a modest selection of" in a sentence?

Use "a modest selection of" to describe a small or limited quantity of items or options. For example, "The restaurant offers "a modest selection of" wines to complement its dishes."

What are some alternatives to "a modest selection of"?

Alternatives include "a limited assortment of", "a small array of", or "a restricted range of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a modest selection of" in formal writing?

Yes, "a modest selection of" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when accurately describing a limited quantity or variety of items. However, ensure that the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What is the difference between "a modest selection of" and "a wide selection of"?

"A modest selection of" indicates a small, limited assortment, while "a wide selection of" suggests a large, diverse assortment. The choice depends on the actual quantity and variety being described.