modest about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest about" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a humble attitude. For example: "He was always very modest about his success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is modest about them.

The Economist

Mr. Bouldin was modest about his work.

The New York Times - Arts

Curtis was modest about her achievements.

The New York Times - Sports

She's hugely modest about it all.

Independent

Dietzel was modest about his achievements.

The New York Times - Sports

West is consistently modest about his achievements.

Independent

He was modest about his achievements.

The New Yorker

He's modest about his achievements.

The Guardian - Books

Ms. Sandalova is modest about her role.

The New York Times

Very modest about her many accomplishments.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Ross was modest about his philanthropy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest about" to contrast someone's actual accomplishments with their willingness to acknowledge them, highlighting their understated nature.

Common error

Avoid using "modest about" when the intention is to convey a lack of self-assurance or doubt in one's abilities. Modesty is about downplaying achievements, not questioning competence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone's character or behavior. It indicates humility and a lack of boastfulness regarding a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and used to emphasize a humble attitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Books

14%

Sports

9%

Less common in

Arts

9%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest about" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who downplays their achievements or abilities. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, highlighting its function to emphasize humility. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while its register is neutral, it is appropriate for use in both formal and informal settings. Alternatives like "humble regarding" or "self-effacing about" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. When using "modest about", ensure you are accurately portraying humility rather than a lack of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-effacing about

Conveys a tendency to make oneself seem insignificant or inconspicuous in relation to something.

humble regarding

Emphasizes a humble perspective, shifting from a general characteristic to a specific instance.

understated regarding

Implies a subtle or restrained manner of expression when discussing something.

not one to boast about

Directly expresses a lack of inclination to brag or show off.

unassuming concerning

Highlights a lack of pretension or arrogance, focusing on a particular matter.

downplaying

Highlights the act of minimizing the importance or significance of something. Requires completing the verb with the subject.

playing down

Similar to minimizing, but with an added sense of deliberately reducing emphasis.

reserved regarding

Indicates a restrained or subdued demeanor when discussing a specific topic.

minimizing

Focuses on the action of reducing the perceived importance of something. Requires completing the verb with the subject.

reticent concerning

Suggests a reluctance to speak openly or freely about something.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest about" to describe someone's behavior or attitude toward their own achievements. For instance, "She was very "modest about" her accomplishments, despite being a renowned scientist".

What can I say instead of "modest about"?

You can use alternatives like "humble regarding", "unassuming concerning", or "self-effacing about" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "modest of" instead of "modest about"?

While "modest of" might be grammatically acceptable in some contexts, "modest about" is the more common and idiomatic way to express humility regarding something specific. Therefore, it's generally preferable to use "modest about".

What's the difference between being "modest about" something and simply being unaware of it?

Being "modest about" something implies a conscious choice to downplay or not emphasize one's accomplishments or qualities. In contrast, being unaware suggests a genuine lack of recognition or understanding of one's abilities or impact.