in a modest time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a modest time" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used to refer to a reasonable or moderate duration for an event or action, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "We should be able to complete the project in a modest time, ensuring quality work without rushing."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Caster Semenya, in her first race since being cleared to return to competition after undergoing sex-verification tests, won the 800 meters Thursday in a modest time at a low-key meet in Lappeenranta, Finland.

The New York Times - Sports

But he is testament to the fact it can be done, albeit in a modest time of five hours and 29 minutes.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Accordingly, we found that receptor blockade resulted in a modest, time-dependent reduction in L5Benh basal firing rates and a strong suppression of movement-related firing.

Cell Reports

HPPH-PDT, at a dose that achieved long-term tumour suppression in ∼50% of animals, resulted in a modest, time-dependent increase in the percentage of neutrophils in the treated tumour.

British Journal of Cancer

The History Old Westbury's origins go back to a modest time in the 1670's when Long Island's first settlers, English Quakers, established farms in the area.

The New York Times

He has had a modest time in front of the stumps while most of the catches have gone to Brad Haddin this summer, who would go on to break Rod Marsh's series record.

The Guardian - Sport

There was a modest time delay in the appearance of visual symptoms (data not shown) and the abrogation of constitutive luciferase expression when treated with gentamicin at 100 µg/ml.

Plosone

On Saturday, Pistorius finished second in his heat with a relatively modest time of 45.44 seconds to reach the semifinals.

The New York Times - Sports

Self-testing resulted in a modest increase in time in therapeutic range compared with standard care (weighted mean difference, WMD 4.4%, 95% CI 1.71 to 7.18, p=0.02).

BMJ Open

Their inspiration was to set up an exchange program in which, for a modest fee, time share owners could swap their week in, say, Orlando, for a week in Hawaii or Colorado, France or Japan.

The New York Times

That team blew a six-and-a-half-game lead with 12 to go by losing 10 in a row, giving off more wretchedness than these Mets, partly because in those modest times they were losing real money by not getting into the World Series.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a modest time", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being completed or achieved within that timeframe. This prevents ambiguity and adds clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "in a modest time" when describing tasks that are known to require significant effort and duration. This can create a disconnect between the description and the reader's expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a modest time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the duration within which an action is performed or a state is achieved. Though Ludwig AI considers the phrase uncommon, contexts from the provided examples show it used to describe the duration of completing a race or achieving a certain result.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in a modest time" is a prepositional phrase that functions as an adverbial, indicating that something is done within a reasonable timeframe. Although Ludwig AI considers it a less common phrase, its usage spans across both News & Media and Science contexts. While grammatically acceptable, it's essential to ensure clarity and context when using it. Alternatives such as "within a reasonable timeframe" or "in a relatively short period" may be preferred for increased clarity and commonality. Given the potential for misinterpretation or awkwardness, writers should carefully consider the specific context and audience when deciding whether to use this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a moderate duration

Highlights the moderateness of the duration.

in an acceptable timeframe

Highlights the acceptability of the duration.

within a reasonable timeframe

Emphasizes the acceptability of the duration.

within a practical period

Focuses on feasibility and convenience.

in a relatively short period

Highlights the brevity of the duration.

in an efficient period

Focuses on efficiency of the duration.

in a timely manner

Focuses on efficiency and promptness.

in a swift timeframe

Emphasizes the speed of the duration.

without excessive delay

Negates the presence of significant waiting.

expeditiously

Highlights efficiency and speed.

FAQs

How can I use "in a modest time" in a sentence?

You can use "in a modest time" to describe something that takes a reasonable amount of time to complete. For example, "We aim to finish the project "in a modest time" while maintaining high quality."

What are some alternatives to "in a modest time"?

Alternatives include "within a reasonable timeframe", "in a relatively short period", or "in a timely manner" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "in a short time" or "in a modest time"?

"In a short time" is more common and generally preferred. "In a modest time" is less frequent and might sound slightly unusual in some contexts. Consider using "in a short time" for broader acceptance.

What's the difference between "in a modest time" and "in a timely fashion"?

"In a timely fashion" implies efficiency and punctuality, while "in a modest time" focuses on the duration being reasonable and not excessively long. Use "in a timely fashion" when emphasizing promptness.