a modicum of information

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modicum of information" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or limited amount of information on a particular subject. Example: "The report provided a modicum of information about the project's progress, but more details are needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Even if stymied in their defense, lawyers can expect a modicum of information about their clients.

The New York Times

Those heaving money at companies like Facebook are doing so with only a modicum of information about the companies' performance.

The New York Times

It's essentially an emotional experience for the audience, and usually a modicum of information is more than enough to trigger those emotions.

The New York Times

Indeed, engineers do start with a modicum of information in any design.

Biomedical Ethics for Engineers Ethics and Decision Making in Biomedical and Biosystem Engineering

By entering a modicum of information you can calculate the wholesale or retail value of your car in your local market.

Forbes

Of course, the whole point of Form D disclosure is to provide the public a modicum of information about what is happening in the economy.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

While arbitrary, these criteria ensured the validity of the SNP and at least a modicum of data.

BMC Genomics

Moreover, apart from the knowledge gap, there is also an information gap: Project documents, for instance, are rarely self-contained entities, and a modicum of background information on the relevant project often helps significantly in interpreting otherwise cryptic references.

Science Magazine

(Travelocity doesn't have a section devoted to family travel, and Orbitz provides just a modicum of such information).

The New York Times - Travel

Through Six Sigma analyses, many G.E. businesses concluded that customers, given a modicum of extra information, would willingly handle a lot of repair work themselves.

The New York Times

In the table below, I've listed the current forecasts at seven different Web sites that use state polls, sometimes along with a modicum of other information like a state's past voting history, to produce predictions of the popular vote in each state.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a modicum of information" when you want to convey that only a small, perhaps insufficient, amount of information is available or provided.

Common error

Avoid using "a modicum of information" when a substantial amount of information is actually present. This can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modicum of information" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a limited quantity of data or details, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modicum of information" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate a small or limited amount of information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples from reliable sources, primarily in news and science contexts. While not exceptionally common, it serves a precise purpose in conveying scarcity or limitation of details, best suited for neutral to formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small amount of information

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

a limited amount of information

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the information.

a minimum of information

Highlights that the information is at the lowest acceptable level.

a slight amount of information

Indicates a barely perceptible quantity of information.

a bit of information

An informal and simple way to express a small quantity.

a fragment of information

Implies the information is incomplete or part of a larger whole.

a trace of information

Suggests an even smaller, almost negligible quantity.

a touch of information

Emphasizes the delicacy of the provided information.

a mere hint of information

Underlines the indirect or subtle nature of the informational offering.

a trickle of information

Suggests a slow and limited flow of information.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modicum of information" to indicate that only a small amount of data or details is available. For example: "Despite extensive research, we only found "a modicum of information" on the subject."

What phrases are similar to "a modicum of information"?

Similar phrases include "a small amount of information", "a limited amount of information", or "a minimum of information". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a little information" or "a modicum of information"?

"A little information" is more informal and common. "A modicum of information" is more formal and suggests a carefully controlled or perhaps inadequate amount of information. Choose based on the context and audience.

What's the difference between "a modicum of information" and "a wealth of information"?

"A modicum of information" implies a small or scarce amount of data, whereas "a wealth of information" suggests a large and abundant supply. They are near opposites in meaning.