a modestly steep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modestly steep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slope or incline that is somewhat steep but not excessively so, often in contexts related to geography, hiking, or architecture. Example: "The trail was a modestly steep ascent, making it accessible for most hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In late 2008 Japan boasted a modestly steep yield curve implied expectations of higher growth and interest rates.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This induction had two phases, a modestly increased rate of HOXA5 expression as compared to control cells within in the first 35 hours followed by a steep increase in the expression of HOXA5 thereafter (Figure 4A).

Plosone

They show a modestly lighted Apple.

The New York Times

Howard himself remains a modestly elusive figure.

The New York Times - Books

Women's cricket, of course, is a modestly paid job.

The Guardian - Sport

But McCamey remained a modestly salaried employee throughout his career.

The New Yorker

Then he started a modestly successful computer company".

The New York Times

And gigantism is gone, replaced by a modestly proportioned naturalism.

The New York Times - Arts

"And that's only a modestly successful troll".

The New York Times

The two campaigns predicted a modestly higher turnout.

The New York Times

Stocks will have a modestly good year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modestly steep" to describe inclines or gradients that are noticeable but not extreme, providing a precise and nuanced description.

Common error

Avoid using "a modestly steep" when describing a completely flat or nearly level surface; this phrase is intended for gradients that have a discernible, though not dramatic, incline.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modestly steep" functions as a descriptive modifier, specifically an adverb-adjective combination. It characterizes a noun (often a slope, incline, or gradient) by specifying its degree of steepness. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a modestly steep" serves as a descriptive term indicating a noticeable but not extreme incline. Ludwig AI considers it grammatically sound and usable in various contexts. While its frequency is rare, the phrase finds use in both News & Media and Scientific domains. Related alternatives include "a slightly inclined" and "a fairly steep". Writers should use this phrase when precision is needed and avoid using it to describe level surfaces.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fairly steep

Replaces "modestly" with "fairly", resulting in a slightly more common alternative.

a bit steep

Uses "a bit" instead of "modestly", suggesting a casual tone and similar level of steepness.

a slightly inclined

Replaces "steep" with "inclined", suggesting a gentler slope.

a marginally steep

Replaces "modestly" with "marginally", indicating a very slight degree of steepness.

a moderately graded

Uses "graded" to indicate the degree of inclination, with "moderately" specifying the extent.

a subtly steep

Uses "subtly" to emphasize the delicate steepness.

a gently rising

Emphasizes the gradual increase in elevation rather than the steepness.

a somewhat sharp

Substitutes "steep" with "sharp", implying a noticeable but not extreme angle.

a reasonably abrupt

Replaces "steep" with "abrupt", suggesting a sudden change in elevation that is still reasonable.

a relatively precipitous

Replaces "modestly" with "relatively" and steep with precipitous

FAQs

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

You can use "a modestly steep" to describe a gradient or incline that is noticeable but not extreme. For example: "The trail had "a modestly steep" section that required some effort to climb".

What are some alternatives to "a modestly steep"?

Alternatives include "a slightly inclined", "a gently rising", or "a fairly steep", depending on the context and desired level of emphasis.

Is it appropriate to use "a modestly steep" in formal writing?

Yes, "a modestly steep" is suitable for formal writing as it provides a precise and descriptive term for a particular type of incline. Its use would be appropriate in reports, descriptions, or academic papers where accuracy is valued.

What's the difference between "a modestly steep" and "a very steep"?

"A modestly steep" describes an incline that is noticeable but not extreme, while "a very steep" describes an incline that is considerably more challenging and pronounced. The difference lies in the degree of inclination.