being modest of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being modest of" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. Example: "Being modest of one's achievements can sometimes hinder personal growth."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

She's being modest of course.

The New York Times - Books

He was being modest, of course, but the truth is that DoubleClick sold twice, and the co-founder was not part of DoubleClick's second, more lucrative sale to Google.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Curiously, though, French ideas have been modest of late.

The Economist

However grand it might have been for New York City, the show was modest, of course, compared with traditional U.S.O.

The New York Times

He was modest of his achievements and expressed embarrassment at being the only New Zealand VC recipient of the Gallipoli Campaign.

Wikipedia

You'll scold me for that, but by dint of being modest most of the time I allow myself a little party of conceit every now and then".

The New Yorker

She made a show of being modest in front of Flora.

Vice

But that's just his way of being modest".

Wikipedia

Your goal of $10 million is modest for a successful entrepreneur.

Huffington Post

For VA, there is modest evidence of delayed effectiveness of lutein.

BMC Ophthalmology

In vitro inhibition measurements indicated that two of the peptides were modest inhibitors of toxin enzyme activity.

FEMS Microbiology Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "being humble about" or "showing modesty regarding" instead of "being modest of".

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "of" after the adjective "modest" when describing someone's behavior. It's more standard to use prepositions like "about" or "in" to connect the adjective to the thing being described.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being modest of" functions as a verbal phrase aiming to describe a state of humility or understatement. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard and suggests alternative constructions for grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "being modest of" is occasionally encountered, it is not considered standard English. Ludwig AI analysis points towards grammatical issues, suggesting that alternatives like "being modest about" or "showing modesty in" are more appropriate. The phrase aims to describe humility, but its non-standard structure limits its usability, especially in formal contexts. It's recommended to opt for grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and correctness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being humble about

This alternative uses "humble" instead of "modest" and "about" instead of "of", offering a more conventional phrasing.

showing humility regarding

This option replaces "modest" with "humility" and "of" with "regarding", increasing formality.

downplaying one's own

This shifts the focus to minimizing or de-emphasizing personal attributes or achievements.

understating achievements

This focuses specifically on minimizing the perceived importance of accomplishments.

not boasting about

This alternative emphasizes the absence of bragging or self-promotion.

being reserved concerning

This phrase suggests a more restrained and cautious approach to discussing something.

exhibiting restraint in

This alternative highlights the act of holding back or controlling one's expression.

displaying a lack of pretension about

This emphasizes the absence of arrogance or showing off.

making light of

This suggests a casual or humorous dismissal of something, often achievements.

being unassertive regarding

This alternative focuses on a lack of strong self-promotion or insistence on recognition.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being modest of" to sound more natural?

Consider using alternatives such as "being humble "about"", "being modest "about"", or "showing modesty "in"" your accomplishments.

Is it grammatically correct to say "being modest of"?

While sometimes used, it's not considered standard English. It's preferable to use phrases like "being modest "about"" or "showing modesty "in"".

What's the difference between "being modest of" and "being modest about"?

"Being modest of" is not a standard construction. "Being modest "about"" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe someone's humble attitude towards something.

Which preposition should I use after "modest" when describing someone's behavior?

Use "about" or "in" rather than "of". For example, "He was modest "about" his achievements" or "She showed modesty "in" her acceptance speech" are both correct.