is very modest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very modest" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who, despite having many positive attributes or achievements, does not boast or talk about them. For example, "John is an extremely talented musician, but he is very modest and never talks about his accomplishments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She is very modest.

The Guardian

So the computational cost is very modest.

Mechanics of Materials

"Shenae is very modest," she said.

The New York Times

She is very modest & humble about her book "Sexual Politics".

The New Yorker

Mr. Dickinson is very modest, delicate, and timid.

The New Yorker

Participants would get a 3% return, which is very modest.

The Guardian - Money

Only a small number of equality constraints are introduced and the computational effort is very modest.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Companies are not cutting business travel spending, it said, but growth is "very modest".

The New York Times

Lord Steyn was right to suggest that any human rights invasion is "very modest indeed".

The Guardian - Opinion

"Carlos is very modest; he's very low-key and he's not a braggart," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

When I try to blow smoke up his arse he is very modest – he's always been that way.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In a formal context, consider replacing "is very modest" with "exhibits considerable humility" for a more sophisticated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "is very modest" too frequently in casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or insincere. Opt for more natural expressions like "doesn't brag" or "is down-to-earth".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very modest" primarily functions as a subject complement, describing a quality or characteristic of the subject. It indicates a person's tendency to avoid boasting or drawing attention to their achievements. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of this phrase and its wide usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is very modest" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe someone who possesses the quality of humility and avoids boasting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While its register is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "exhibits considerable humility" may be preferred in certain settings. The phrase conveys admiration for a positive character trait and is prevalent in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is quite humble

Replaces "modest" with its direct synonym "humble", keeping structure intact.

is extremely unassuming

Emphasizes the lack of pretension with a stronger adjective, altering the degree of modesty.

is remarkably unpretentious

Highlights the absence of showiness, slightly shifting focus from personal restraint to outward presentation.

displays significant restraint

Focuses on the act of limiting expression or behavior, differing from inherent character trait.

exhibits considerable humility

Shifts from the state of being to the act of showing humility, changing the emphasis slightly.

is notably understated

Emphasizes the quality of being subtle or restrained, deviating from character trait to presentational style.

maintains a low profile

Changes the focus from internal modesty to external behavior, emphasizing avoidance of attention.

is surprisingly reserved

Highlights a level of emotional or expressive restraint, indicating a less outwardly expressive nature.

is rather limited

Shifts the context from personal traits to the scale or extent of something, altering the subject entirely.

is fairly insignificant

Changes the subject to the importance or impact of something instead of a personal characteristic.

FAQs

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

You can use "is very modest" to describe someone who doesn't boast about their abilities or accomplishments. For example: "Despite her numerous awards, she "is very modest" about her achievements."

What are some alternatives to "is very modest"?

Some alternatives include "is quite humble", "is extremely unassuming", or "displays significant restraint" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is modest" or "is very modest"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "is very modest" intensifies the degree of modesty. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey in your description.

When is it appropriate to use "is very modest" instead of "is humble"?

"Is very modest" and "is humble" are often interchangeable, but "is very modest" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the person's reluctance to draw attention to themselves or their accomplishments.