a modest success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an achievement that is considered successful but not overly impressive or grand. Example: "The event was a modest success, attracting a decent number of attendees and generating some positive feedback."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A modest success.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sugar (1972) enjoyed a modest success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Chicago Fire" proved a modest success.

The New York Times

His first startup was a modest success.

The Guardian

Hungary's presidency was a modest success, says one diplomat.

The Economist

If anything, it has so far been a modest success.

The Economist

The venture proved to be, at best, a modest success.

The New Yorker

On those terms, at least, it is a modest success.

The Guardian - Film

The tapas bar was a modest success — it became known for its blue margaritas.

The New Yorker

NOT long ago Burundi was considered a modest success in one of Africa's most violent regions.

The Economist

"The cooking classes were only a modest success," Ziegelman writes of one such program.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of a project or initiative, use "a modest success" to accurately represent results that are positive but not groundbreaking. This sets realistic expectations and avoids overstating achievements.

Common error

Avoid pairing "a modest success" with overly enthusiastic or superlative language. Doing so creates a dissonance that undermines credibility. For example, don't say: "The project was a modest success and an unparalleled triumph for the company."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modest success" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "success". As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes something that has achieved a degree of accomplishment, but not to an overwhelming extent. The examples show its use in various contexts to qualify achievements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modest success" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe an achievement that is positive but not exceptional. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news and media, and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While "a modest success" conveys a tempered result, alternatives like "a limited triumph" or "a qualified victory" can offer slight variations in emphasis. Remember to avoid exaggerating the success when using this phrase to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited triumph

Replaces "success" with "triumph", suggesting a slightly more significant achievement, while maintaining the sense of limitation with "limited".

a qualified victory

Substitutes "success" with "victory", indicating a win, but the addition of "qualified" suggests it's not an unqualified or complete win.

a partial accomplishment

Uses "accomplishment" instead of "success", focusing on the completion aspect, and "partial" indicates it's not fully realized.

a fair achievement

Employs "achievement" as a synonym for "success", with "fair" implying a moderate level of accomplishment.

a slight win

Replaces both "modest" and "success" with simpler terms, conveying a smaller degree of victory.

a reasonable outcome

Shifts the focus from success to the result, implying the outcome was acceptable but not exceptional.

a tempered triumph

Replaces "success" with triumph, suggesting a slightly more significant achievement, while "tempered" reduces its impact.

a measured victory

Similar to "qualified victory", but "measured" suggests a calculated and controlled success rather than an enthusiastic one.

a contained accomplishment

The use of "contained" implies that success was deliberately kept within certain bounds or expectations.

a controlled achievement

The expression indicates that the result was deliberately kept within certain bounds or expectations.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modest success" to describe something that achieved a limited but positive outcome. For example: "The fundraising campaign was "a modest success", allowing us to partially fund the new program."

What are some alternatives to "a modest success"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a limited triumph", "a qualified victory", or "a partial accomplishment". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a modest success" is suitable for formal writing. It's a neutral phrase that accurately conveys the level of achievement without being overly informal or colloquial.

What's the difference between "a modest success" and "a resounding success"?

"A modest success" indicates a limited or moderate level of achievement, while "a resounding success" implies a significant and overwhelming accomplishment. Use the phrase that best reflects the actual outcome.