a modicum of effort

USAGE SUMMARY

"a modicum of effort" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a small amount of effort that is necessary to accomplish a task. For example, "It will take a modicum of effort to finish this project by the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it does require a modicum of effort and awareness of one's own surroundings.

The Guardian - Opinion

But for people with a minimum of training, the keyboard-mouse combo performs a number of sophisticated tasks quickly with a modicum of effort.

Forbes

Each manufacturer makes a modicum of effort to allow their smartphone to sync with someone else's services, but as is too often the case, such integration is usually lacking some important functionality.

TechCrunch

With just a modicum of effort, you can watch such modern classics as "DISRESPECTFUL NIGGER GETS THUMPED," "typical nigger behavior," and that toe-tapping ditty, "Quit your bitchn' nigger!" by Johnny Rebel.

Vice

Once compliance with the request required a modicum of effort on the subject's part, thoughtful responding seemed to take the place of mindlessness, and the reason now seemed to matter.

Huffington Post

If you cannot spend $10 on Amazon and spend like three minutes and one Google search figuring out how to get the audio to run through the TV as well as the picture, then why should someone spend even a modicum of effort fucking you?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

It's a one-piece carafe/cone combo, fetchingly shaped like an hourglass and fully vetted by the coffee cognoscenti, who assured me that it would ask for just a modicum of extra effort and answer that with coffee bliss.

The New York Times

It must of course be understood that even the simplest sports, such as weightlifting, require a modicum of intellectual effort, while others, such as baseball, involve a considerable amount of mental alertness.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Facebooks algorithm's have thus far been largely tuned by what you're liking/sharing/commenting on — actions that all require at least a modicum of conscious effort.

TechCrunch

I get it, but perhaps with just a modicum of extra effort, the city of Las Vegas can get a bit more out of their underclasses.

Vice

Saying that they "had somehow contrived a modicum of success with a minimum of effort," he reported that "neither Andrew nor I had remembered to discuss the meanings of various actions if the opponents interfered with our Blackwood sequences".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing it with more colloquial terms like "a little effort" in informal contexts to avoid sounding overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "a modicum of effort" when the task actually demands significant dedication. Overstating the easiness can lead to frustration and a perception of dishonesty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modicum of effort" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English writing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modicum of effort" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation requiring a small amount of exertion. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and useful in English writing. While the phrase is not considered very common, its register leans toward neutral to professional contexts, often appearing in News & Media. When using it, consider that it may be replaced with phrases as "a small amount of effort", but avoid it when the task needs a lot of dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of effort

Replaces "modicum" with a more direct synonym, reducing formality.

a minimal amount of work

Substitutes "effort" with "work", emphasizing the task-oriented aspect.

a touch of effort

Uses "touch" to soften the amount, implying a very slight exertion.

a bit of effort

Employs "bit" for a more casual and less precise quantity of effort.

slight exertion

Rephrases the entire expression to focus on the act of exerting oneself lightly.

reasonable effort

Highlights that the effort required is not excessive.

modest effort

Emphasizes the humble quality of effort required.

a sprinkle of effort

Implies adding a very small, almost negligible, amount of effort.

limited energy

Focuses on the energy expenditure being constrained.

ordinary application

Suggests that the effort is typical or routine, nothing out of the ordinary.

FAQs

How can I use "a modicum of effort" in a sentence?

You can use "a modicum of effort" to indicate that something requires a small amount of exertion. For example, "Completing this task only requires "a modicum of effort"".

What's a less formal way to say "a modicum of effort"?

Less formal alternatives to "a modicum of effort" include phrases like "a little effort", "a bit of effort", or "a small amount of work".

Is "a modicum of effort" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "a modicum of effort" is suitable for formal writing. It adds a touch of sophistication while clearly conveying the need for a small amount of exertion.

What is the difference between "a modicum of effort" and "a lot of effort"?

"A modicum of effort" implies a small, manageable amount of work, whereas "a lot of effort" suggests a significant and potentially challenging undertaking.