modest expansion

USAGE SUMMARY

"modest expansion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a small increase in something. For example, "The company has been experiencing modest expansion over the last few quarters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

China's force, however, is in the process of modest expansion.

Yale University

Even the modest expansion for this fall faces huge hurdles.

The New York Times

Helping the sustain in box-office is the film's modest expansion from 214 cinemas to 254.

The Guardian - Film

Confirmation that the modest expansion is firmly established would come as a relief for everyone.

The Economist

Even a modest expansion of bus lanes might enrage car drivers.

The Economist

Eisenhower also supported public works and a modest expansion of government social programs.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"A modest expansion of trade will be of little comfort to millions of Africans who will die of treatable illnesses".

The New York Times

The index plunged from +3.2 in July, signalling modest expansion, to -30.7, the lowest level since March 2009.

The Guardian - Business

A modest expansion from 68 to 89 cinemas helped the film hold up at the box office.

The Guardian - Film

One group of businesses might be mature and require investment only for purposes of modest expansion and incremental improvement.

Harvard Business Review

Economists predict that eurozone growth came in around 0.4% in July-September, matching the modest expansion in April-June.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest expansion" when you want to emphasize that growth is happening, but it is not substantial or rapid. This can be particularly useful in economic or business contexts to set realistic expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "modest expansion" when the actual growth is significant or rapid. Using it in such cases can undermine your credibility and create confusion. For example, a company reporting 50% annual growth should not describe it as a "modest expansion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest expansion" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "modest" modifies the noun "expansion". This describes a state or process of growing slightly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest expansion" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a small or limited increase in something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable across various formal and professional contexts, including news, business, and academia. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context reflects a genuine slow or slight increase to avoid misleading or overstating the situation. Alternatives such as "slight growth" or "limited growth" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight growth

Emphasizes the gradual and subtle nature of the increase.

limited growth

Highlights the constraints and boundaries of the expansion.

small increase

Focuses on the numerical aspect of the minimal rise.

marginal increase

Suggests the increase is barely noticeable or significant.

minimal development

Indicates very little progress or advancement.

gentle upturn

Implies a mild and gradual positive change.

contained augmentation

Suggests a controlled and restricted increase.

moderate advance

Implies a reasonable but not excessive degree of forward movement.

restricted enlargement

Similar to limited growth but applies to physical size or scope.

controlled enhancement

Indicates improvement that is carefully managed and regulated.

FAQs

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

"Modest expansion" is typically used to describe a slight increase in something, such as "The company experienced a "modest expansion" in its market share this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "modest expansion"?

Alternatives include "slight growth", "limited growth", or "small increase". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "modest expansion" suitable for describing rapid growth?

No, "modest expansion" implies a small, gradual increase. If the growth is rapid, terms like "significant growth" or "rapid expansion" are more appropriate.

What is the difference between "modest expansion" and "significant expansion"?

"Modest expansion" describes a small increase, while "significant expansion" implies a substantial increase. The choice between the two depends on the magnitude of the change being described.