a modest works

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modest works" is not correct in English.
It seems to be a grammatical error, as "works" should be singular or the article should be pluralized to "modest work." Example: "She has produced a modest body of work over the years."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The two big parties work from very different caricatures of the typical pensioner – for the Tories it is a canny old widow juggling with national savings certificates and private annuities, whereas the first Labour thought is of a salt-of-the-earth Darby and Joan couple, whose reward for a lifetime of toil is a modest works pension.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr Garcia, by contrast, has a home in a modest, working class section of Chicago.

Independent

For even a modest working majority, they must double their number of seats.

The Economist

Though a modest work, "Goldkind" represents a meaningful partnership between creative artists from different spheres of contemporary music.

The New York Times - Arts

It was taking an expressive sledgehammer to a modest work that other pianists take convincingly at face value.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Stokowski opened the program with Bernard Herr mann's "For the Fallen" (1943), a modest work of gentle lyrical charm and the orchestra made it sound very appealing.

The New York Times

The chance for a modest work of art (and an incidental extra bit of profit) has been squandered and lost for ever.

The Guardian - Books

It was, said Emily Maitlis, the "Basildon moment", recalling that key result in 1992 which helped put John Major back into Downing Street with a modest working majority in the teeth of poll ratings which had consistently pointed the other way.

BBC

It's a modest work, the first of its kind, and even includes a price guide.

Los Angeles Times

All of these women project a modest work ethic, a true commitment to the people they govern, and a willingness to fight for what they believe.

Huffington Post

Here I am, 42, reasonably intelligent, a yearly traveler to Europe, and apart from English, all I can claim in the way of linguistic proficiency is a modest working knowledge of French and a few sparse phrases of travel Italian and high school Spanish.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a single, unassuming piece of creative output, use "a modest work". Ensure subject-verb agreement to avoid grammatical errors.

Common error

Avoid using the plural form "works" with the singular article "a". The phrase "a modest works" is grammatically incorrect; use "a modest work" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase aims to function as a descriptive term, characterizing something (e.g., a piece of art, a project) as unassuming or limited in scope. However, Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modest works" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct phrasing should be "a modest work" when referring to a singular piece of work. While some sources might use the incorrect phrase, it's best to adhere to standard grammar conventions to maintain clarity and credibility. Consider alternatives such as "a small project" or "a humble creation" to accurately convey the intended meaning in a grammatically sound manner. Remember to prioritize grammatical accuracy to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a modest work

Corrects the grammatical error by using the singular form of the noun.

some modest works

Corrects the grammatical error by using the plural form of the noun with appropriate quantifier.

a small body of work

Replaces 'modest works' with a phrase indicating a limited collection of creations.

a limited oeuvre

Uses a more formal term for a collection of artistic works.

a humble creation

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of pretension in a single piece of work.

a simple project

Highlights the uncomplicated nature of the endeavor.

a minor undertaking

Suggests the work is not significant in scale or impact.

a concise piece

Focuses on the brevity and succinctness of the work.

a restrained effort

Implies the work was created with moderation and control.

a scaled-down production

Indicates a reduction in size or scope compared to other similar efforts.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say "a modest works"?

The correct way to phrase it is "a modest work", using the singular noun form to match the singular article "a".

How can I describe multiple pieces of modest work?

You could say "some modest works", "several modest pieces", or "a small collection of works".

Is "a modest works" ever appropriate?

No, "a modest works" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to use "a modest work" for singular and "modest works" for plural.

What are some alternatives to describing something as "a modest work"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a small project", "a simple piece", or "a humble creation".