a modicum of support

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a modicum of support" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or limited amount of assistance or backing in a particular context. Example: "The project received a modicum of support from the local community, which helped it get off the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

They survive, they said, on modest fees from parents, about $15 a month, and a modicum of support from the Indonesian government.

The New York Times

A modicum of support came from the Kremlin, which in recent months has publicly clashed with Mr. Lukashenko.

The New York Times

But he still faces the task of holding the political center, with a modicum of support from Republicans, behind his aim of greatly expanding health care coverage — while keeping liberals in the fold for his promise of containing entitlement spending.

The New York Times

The rules say that a winning presidential candidate must get at least a quarter of votes cast in at least five of Kenya's eight provinces, to prove that he (no chance yet of a she) has a modicum of support across the land.

The Economist

A fourth is to find some way of winning back a modicum of support in the Arab world -- perhaps the hardest task of all, given the war, American identification with Israel and Washington's long history of support for governments in Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other countries whose own populations view them as corrupt.

The New York Times

He teaches computer science at yale, but has the heart and soul of an artist (hes an accomplished painter and poet); he is identified by himself and others as a conservative, but freely admits that he would sell out [conservatives] entire economic program — would double taxes, quintuple government spending — if it would buy me a modicum of support for a politics-free english language.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Mr. bin al-Shibh's case shows the importance of even a modicum of local support.

The New York Times

Where a modicum of community support exists, the Parks Department has responded admirably, despite its limited resources.

The New York Times

He appointed new envoys for the task at the State and Defense Departments, and won a modicum of congressional support in a defense authorization bill he signed last week that removed a restriction on transfers from Guantánamo to overseas destinations.

The Guardian

For an industry desperate to regain a modicum of public support and political credibility, agreeing to pay taxes specifically earmarked to fund an environmental corps would likely be seen as a small price to pay for increased respectability.

The Guardian - Opinion

But at the same moment, as his critics on the left have pointed out, Mr. Obama has been warding off calls for far more stringent regulations of the banks, hoping to win at least a modicum of business support — and to defuse the notion that he is at war with American-style capitalism.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a modicum of support", ensure the context clarifies what specific support is being referred to, and why it is considered limited. For example, specify "a modicum of financial support" or "a modicum of public support".

Common error

Avoid using "a modicum of support" when the level of support is actually significant. Misrepresenting the amount of support can undermine credibility. Ensure that "a modicum" accurately reflects a small or limited contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a modicum of support" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a limited or small quantity of assistance or backing. According to Ludwig, the phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12.5%

Formal & Business

12.5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a modicum of support" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small or limited amount of assistance or backing. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is most commonly found in news and media contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific support being referenced and that "a modicum" accurately reflects the limited nature of that support. Alternatives like "a small degree of assistance" or "minimal assistance" can be used to convey a similar meaning, though they may vary slightly in formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small degree of assistance

Emphasizes the limited quantity of help provided.

a limited amount of backing

Highlights the restricted nature of the support.

minimal assistance

Directly states that the assistance is at the lowest level.

some slight assistance

Emphasizes that the support is both present and limited.

slight backing

Indicates weak or tentative support.

a touch of aid

Uses a more figurative term to suggest minimal help.

a trickle of help

Implies that the help is slow and comes in small amounts.

a hint of encouragement

Focuses on emotional or moral support rather than practical assistance.

a soupçon of support

Uses a French loanword to suggest a very small amount of backing.

a bit of help

A simpler and more informal way to express a small amount of assistance.

FAQs

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

You can use "a modicum of support" to describe a situation where there is a small or limited amount of assistance or backing. For example: "The project received "a modicum of support" from the local community."

What are some alternatives to saying "a modicum of support"?

Alternatives include "a small degree of assistance", "a limited amount of backing", or "minimal assistance".

Is "a modicum of support" formal or informal?

"A modicum of support" is generally considered a more formal expression. In informal contexts, you might prefer using phrases like "a little support" or "a bit of help".

What does "modicum" mean in the context of "a modicum of support"?

In this context, "modicum" refers to a small or limited quantity. Therefore, "a modicum of support" means a small amount of help or backing.