a modestly longer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modestly longer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly longer than another item or standard, often in a comparative context. Example: "The new version of the report is a modestly longer document, providing more detailed analysis than the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A modestly longer durability of glycemic control was achieved with LM75/25 compared with glargine.

Diabetes Care

Indeed, the difference between our study and the study by Pagel-Langenickel et al [27] may reflect a modestly longer duration of therapy (16 vs. 12 weeks), and the broader PPAR isoform activation activity of pioglitazone versus other TZDs such as rosiglitazone.

Plosone

LM75/25 therapy resulted in a modestly longer durability of glycemic control, with no difference in hypoglycemia and more weight gain compared with glargine.

Diabetes Care

Lack of aryl substitution gives 4 a smaller four-membered (NaNMnC) ring with a modestly longer Mn-C bond (2.207(4) Å to ipso-C cf. 2.189(2) Å to ortho-C in 2) made by the Mn atom lying almost coplanar with the aryl ring plane (deviation 0.339 Å cf. 0.558 Å in 2; 0.221 and 0.220 Å for the two independent molecules of 3).

Chemistry - A European Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Nonetheless, telomeres in siz2 Δ cells are modestly longer than wild-type telomeres, and this lengthening is telomerase dependent (Ferreira et al. 2011; Hang et al. 2011).

Genetics

Frequent Year 3-secondary progression relapses predicted modestly longer times to onset of the progressive phase while other variables more strongly predicted shorter times based on more frequent relapses (Table 3).

Brain

Analysts said that because investors were unwilling to take on this modestly longer-term risk, the government was unable to sell more of the one-year securities rather than the shorter-term bills.

The New York Times

Just as America has a vision of a modestly stable Afghanistan that will no longer be a haven for extremists, China has a vision of Afghanistan as a secure conduit for roads and energy pipelines that will bring natural resources from the Indian Ocean and elsewhere.

The New York Times

Furthermore, being older, Caucasian, or a longer participant in the DM program had a modestly lower likelihood of less-urgent ED visits.

BMC Health Services Research

In human serum, the dimer had a modestly increased half-life compared to the monomeric H2 relaxin suggesting that additional oligomerization may be a viable strategy for producing longer acting variants of H2 relaxin.

BioMed Research International

They show a modestly lighted Apple.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modestly longer", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a modestly longer" when the difference is actually substantial. Ensure that "modestly" accurately reflects the small degree of difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modestly longer" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It serves to describe the extent or duration of something in comparison to a reference point, indicating that it is somewhat, but not substantially, extended. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modestly longer" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, indicating a slight extension in length or duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is adjectival, serving to provide a comparative description without implying a substantial difference. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "slightly more extended" exist, the choice depends on the desired nuance and level of formality. When employing "a modestly longer", ensure the context clarifies what is being compared, and the degree of difference is accurately represented.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly more extended

Replaces "modestly" with "slightly" and "longer" with "extended", providing a near synonym with minimal change in meaning. Similarity is high.

a somewhat lengthier

Substitutes "modestly" for "somewhat" and "longer" for "lengthier", resulting in a more formal tone and only a slight change in impact.

a marginally increased

Uses "marginally increased" to convey a similarly small degree of augmentation.

a bit more protracted

Offers a more formal alternative using "protracted" instead of "longer", implying duration or extension.

a subtly prolonged

Employs "subtly prolonged" to highlight the gentle extension in duration.

a shade more expansive

Uses "expansive" to suggest a slightly greater extent, which implies length or duration.

a touch more lasting

Focuses on the enduring quality, replacing "longer" with "lasting" to suggest an extended duration.

moderately extended

Rephrases to eliminate the article "a" and places "modestly" as an adverb modifying "extended".

slightly prolonged

Similar to other alternatives, focusing on the act of prolonging and the slight degree of extension.

somewhat drawn out

Implies extension in time or scope, using "drawn out" to suggest a longer, possibly less desirable duration.

FAQs

How can I use "a modestly longer" in a sentence?

You can use "a modestly longer" to describe something that is slightly extended compared to something else. For example, "The updated report includes "a modestly longer" section on data analysis."

What are some alternatives to "a modestly longer"?

Alternatives include "slightly more extended", "a somewhat lengthier", or "a marginally increased" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "a modestly longer" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a modestly longer" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English grammar rules for forming comparative phrases.

What is the difference between "a modestly longer" and "a much longer"?

"A modestly longer" indicates a slight increase in length, while "a much longer" indicates a significant increase. The choice depends on the actual difference you want to describe.