modest amount of time

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest amount of time" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small or reasonable duration needed for a task or activity. Example: "Completing this project will require a modest amount of time, so please plan accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This adds only a modest amount of time to each milking shift and does not require additional wash cycles, improving milk production per cow and parlor efficiency.

Cornell University

"All the research shows that if you do them alone, for a modest amount of time, they have a modest positive effect, but it doesn't last," he said.

The New York Times

Anyone who spends even a modest amount of time at home on weekday afternoons, including people with young children, the elderly and the bedridden, would most likely end up paying more for their electricity.

The New York Times

And the biggest wild card remains the president himself, who has devoted only a modest amount of time to the grinding task of mastering health-care policy but has repeatedly suggested that his sweeping new plan is nearly complete.

The Washington Post

But for music and book lovers with some patience and a willingness to invest a modest amount of time and money, those vintage tunes on dinosaur formats can be revived to live again in today's in-car audio systems.

The New York Times

Even with that encouragement, Rubin had to fight multiple rounds of testosterone-laden red tape to get even a modest amount of time on the telescope at Mount Palomar to begin measuring the stellar motion necessary to impute what dark matter might be all about.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

CREF's campaign reportedly involved total out-of-pocket expenses of less than $10,000 plus a modest amount of staff time and resources.

Harvard Business Review

Fans have come to cherish the friendship, despite its comparatively modest amount of screen time, because what began as a beautifully played verbal duel between Isobel and Violet has been enriched by a deep and growing mutual respect and affection.

Huffington Post

They're not a great option for raising a modest amount of money--the time and cost involved in state registration varies, but it can be significant (especially if you need to register in more than one state).

Huffington Post

We needed a modest amount of help for a short time (which is true of most SNAP recipients).

Huffington Post

Our study assesses the psychological effects of savings behaviour on health through the hypothesised mediator of financial stress; the study does not test the effects of increased wealth or income on health, because the intervention generates only a modest amount of savings over the short time period of the study.

BMJ Open

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest amount of time", ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is considered 'modest' in that specific situation. For example, specify if it refers to minutes, hours, or days to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "modest amount of time" when the task actually requires significantly more time. This can lead to under-preparation and unrealistic expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest amount of time" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It quantifies the noun "time" and describes its duration as being moderate or limited. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest amount of time" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate a duration that is reasonably short or limited. Ludwig confirms this phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While commonly used, it's crucial to ensure the context clarifies what 'modest' means in specific scenarios to prevent ambiguity. Related phrases like "reasonable time" or "small time frame" can be used as alternatives, depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasonable time

Focuses on the fairness and appropriateness of the duration.

reasonable timeframe

Refers to the length of time that something will take, be available, or last.

small time frame

Highlights the limited duration or period involved.

limited time

Indicates scarcity or restriction on time available.

brief period

Emphasizes the shortness of the duration.

short duration

Focuses on the brevity of the length of something.

limited duration

Stresses the constraints on how long something lasts.

short while

Uses a more informal term to indicate a brief duration.

a bit of time

Indicates a quantity of time that is indefinite but small.

a while

Informal way to say 'a period of time'.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest amount of time" to indicate that a task or activity requires a reasonably short duration. For instance, "Completing this report will require a "modest amount of time" if you focus on the key data".

What can I say instead of "modest amount of time"?

You can use alternatives like "reasonable time", "small time frame", or "brief period" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "modest amount of time" versus "short amount of time"?

While both phrases indicate a limited duration, "modest amount of time" suggests that the time required is reasonable and not excessive, whereas "short amount of time" simply emphasizes the brevity. Use "modest" when also implying reasonableness.

Is "modest amount of time" formal or informal?

"Modest amount of time" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality allows it to be used in professional communications as well as casual conversations.