modest agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest agreement" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a slight or limited level of agreement on a particular issue or topic. Example: "After much discussion, we reached a modest agreement on the terms of the contract, though some details still need to be finalized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

In Congress, even a more modest agreement with the Iraqis over the American military presence still faces opposition.

The New York Times

The new compromise appears devised to eke out a modest agreement on principles that each country would adhere to voluntarily.

The New York Times

In the end, he had to be satisfied with another parallel and more modest agreement on growth.

The New York Times

The New Start treaty, on the other hand, was never meant to be more than a relatively modest agreement.

The New York Times

The modest agreement resulted from discussions that have been under way for months, even before Chrysler was sold to Cerberus Capital Management, a private equity firm, in August.

The New York Times

Mr. Cantor, Democratic officials said, presented a Republican proposal for a more modest agreement that drew heavily on earlier negotiations steered by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Lavrov announced modest agreements on noncontentious issues and sought to portray them as examples of what Mr. Lavrov called "constructive cooperation".

The New York Times

Since late 2002, the governments of India and Pakistan have reached a number of modest agreements, such as the establishment of bus service between the two countries.

The New Yorker

B6 CIRCUITS G1-8 HOUSE & HOME F1-16 ARTSPORTS2 SPORTS D1-8 SCIENCE/HEAgreementsments on Emissions Administration officials announced several modest agreements with a number of industries to voluntarily control the emissions of greenhouse gases linked to global warming.

The New York Times

And while, during Modi's upcoming visit, the two leaders will doubtless try to paper over the cracks with rather modest agreements on economic co-operation, more tensions are arising all the time.

Independent

Trading economic sanctions for nuclear concessions may offer modest agreements, but a fundamental resolution of this issue may require a more imaginative re-conceptualization of the existing diplomatic paradigm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest agreement", ensure the context clarifies the specific areas where agreement exists and acknowledge any remaining points of contention to avoid misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "modest agreement". Clearly differentiate it from a comprehensive or decisive resolution to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest agreement" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb (e.g., "reach a modest agreement") or the subject complement, indicating the limited extent of concurrence or harmony reached. Ludwig AI confirms that "modest agreement" is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest agreement" is a phrase used to describe a limited level of consensus, primarily in news and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. When employing this phrase, ensure you don't overstate the agreement's significance, and consider using alternatives like "limited consensus" or "partial accord" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Remember to set realistic expectations about the extent and impact of the agreement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mild agreement

Indicates a weaker form of agreement compared to the original phrase.

limited consensus

Focuses on the consensus aspect, emphasizing its restricted nature.

partial accord

Highlights the aspect of reaching an accord, but only partially.

slight understanding

Emphasizes understanding rather than agreement, implying a small degree of it.

narrow concurrence

Stresses the limited scope of the agreement or concurrence.

small compromise

Focuses on the compromise aspect, implying it was not a significant one.

basic understanding

Suggests a very fundamental and perhaps incomplete level of understanding.

minor settlement

Highlights the settlement aspect, but indicates it's of little importance.

tenuous consensus

Implies the consensus is weak and easily disrupted.

superficial harmony

Suggests the agreement is only on the surface and doesn't go deep.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest agreement" to describe situations where there is some, but not complete, concurrence. For example, "Despite differing opinions, the committee reached a "modest agreement" on the budget.".

What's a good alternative to "modest agreement"?

Alternatives include "mild agreement", "limited consensus", or "partial accord". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "modest agreement" in formal writing?

Yes, "modest agreement" is appropriate in formal writing. It's a neutral term suitable for describing the extent of concurrence in various professional and academic contexts, as shown by examples found in Ludwig.

What does it mean when we say there's a "modest agreement" between two things?

Saying there's a "modest agreement" between two things, such as data sets or opinions, indicates that there is some level of correlation or similarity, but it is not strong or comprehensive. Further investigation may be warranted to explore any discrepancies.