is rather modest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is rather modest' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something is moderately or lowly sized, proportioned, or valued. For example: "The presentation she gave was well-received, but her salary increase as a result of it is rather modest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its overall surplus is rather modest.

The New York Times

Dean E. Murphy:... your volume of work is rather modest.

Cornell University

By today's standards, Mr. Fogel said, that is rather modest.

The New York Times

Warnock herself is rather modest about her philosophical talents, but had a very successful career.

The Guardian

The Mullers' book, "365 Nights," is rather modest and circumspect in its details.

The New York Times

It was demonstrated that the burning velocity increase with 1% of O2(a¹Δg) seeded into the air is rather modest.

Combustion and Flame

The current success rate, however, is rather modest, and so the designers have become good only at making catalysts with low catalytic efficiencies.

Methods in Enzymology

"Estonian journalism is among the freest in the world, but unfortunately it hasn't been reflected in the credibility of the print media, which is rather modest here".

The New York Times

At 1% of EU gross national income, the budget itself is rather modest: in absolute terms it is smaller than that of medium-sized countries such as Austria.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But in substance, the change may be rather modest.

The Economist

The apparent trigger for the President's pique was rather modest.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is rather modest" when you want to subtly downplay or express a sense of understatement, rather than making a strong or direct assertion.

Common error

While "is rather modest" is acceptable, avoid overusing "rather" in formal writing, as it can sometimes come across as hesitant or lacking confidence. Consider using a more direct synonym like "is somewhat modest" or "is fairly modest" if appropriate, depending on context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is rather modest" functions as a subject complement, where "is" acts as a linking verb connecting the subject to the descriptive adjective phrase "rather modest". Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is rather modest" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a sense of moderation or understatement. Ludwig AI indicates that it is appropriate for describing something that is limited in size, degree, or impact. Predominantly found in scientific and news media sources, the phrase serves to temper statements, avoiding exaggeration. When using "is rather modest", consider the subtle nuance it adds and whether a more direct synonym would be more effective. Be aware of overusing the term "rather", especially in formal contexts, where it might be perceived as lacking confidence. Remember to use alternatives to the phrase and provide context of the statement being made to provide a clear picture. Therefore, use the phrase when looking to soften the message and state your opinion in a non-offensive tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite limited

This alternative directly replaces "modest" with "limited", emphasizing the restricted nature of something.

is only moderate

This directly indicates that something is neither excessive nor deficient, staying within reasonable bounds.

is fairly small

This phrase focuses on the size or extent of something, implying it is not significant.

is not substantial

This alternative directly states that something lacks size, importance, or strength.

is somewhat understated

This alternative highlights that something lacks emphasis or is presented in a subtle way.

is relatively minor

This suggests that something is not of great importance or consequence.

is reasonably low

This phrase emphasizes the quantity or level of something, suggesting it is not high.

is just slight

Focuses on the small degree or intensity of something.

is comparatively trivial

This alternative implies something is insignificant or of little value.

is fairly restrained

Implies a controlled or subdued quality, lacking extravagance or excess.

FAQs

How can I use "is rather modest" in a sentence?

You can use "is rather modest" to describe something that is moderate in size, amount, or degree. For example, "The impact of the new policy "is rather modest" compared to previous initiatives."

What are some alternatives to "is rather modest"?

Some alternatives include "is quite limited", "is fairly small", "is only moderate", or "is not substantial", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "is rather modest" and "is very modest"?

Yes, "is rather modest" implies a more subtle degree of modesty compared to "is very modest". "Is very modest" suggests a higher level of modesty, while "is rather modest" indicates a more moderate or somewhat understated level.

When is it appropriate to use "is rather modest"?

It's appropriate to use "is rather modest" when you want to express that something is not excessive, significant, or extreme. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of overusing "rather" in highly formal writing.