modest funds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest funds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited amount of money available for a particular purpose, often in financial contexts. Example: "The organization was able to launch the project thanks to the modest funds they received from donations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Considering Everton's modest funds, it was bold to pay £15m for Marouane Fellaini.

The Guardian - Sport

This is debatable: Brussels is a fearsome generator of paperwork and meetings, even when very modest funds are on offer.

The Economist

The work group has been able to get modest funds to form crisis services for children and families.

The Washington Post

The Course Improvement Grants program aims to provide modest funds (up to $300) for projects that will enhance student learning and increase a GSI's teaching effectiveness.

University of California, Berkeley

Cutting these modest funds ultimately results in higher state costs in other areas, including increased emergency room visits, public assistance and shelter costs.

The New York Times

The center operates under the legal umbrella of the official China Charity Federation but relies on the modest funds she has pried from businesses, individuals and foreign charities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Despite these modest funding revisions, the 2019 budget still calls for significant cuts to HUD programs.

Yale University

The company even provided modest funding; but White says he needed lots more.

Yale University

In some instances, we can provide modest funding for reporting stories.

Columbia University

But the S.E.C., while receiving a modest funding increase this year, still cannot keep pace with the growing industry.

The New York Times

She recently helped to organize a modest fund-raising event at Dairy Queen for a children's swim team.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest funds", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific purpose or project for which the funds are intended. This adds clarity and emphasizes the resource constraints.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the potential achievements possible with "modest funds". Accurately representing the scope and limitations of what can be accomplished maintains credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest funds" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "modest" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "funds". According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest funds" is a grammatically sound and useful phrase for indicating limited financial resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic, and business settings. While the phrase is generally considered neutral in register, understanding its limitations and potential alternatives can help writers communicate more effectively. Consider using synonyms such as "limited financial resources" or "small amount of capital" depending on the specific context. Remember to accurately represent the potential impact of the "modest funds" to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited financial resources

Replaces 'modest' with 'limited' offering a more general term for scarcity.

small amount of capital

Substitutes 'funds' with 'capital' specifying financial assets.

meager financial backing

Replaces both words, emphasizing the inadequacy of the funding.

limited budgetary allowance

Uses 'budgetary allowance' to specify the context of a budget.

restricted financial means

Emphasizes the constraints on available finances.

scarce monetary resources

Highlights the scarcity or rarity of the funds.

tight budget

A more concise way of saying that financial resources are limited.

shoestring budget

Indicates a very small budget, often implying resourcefulness.

small financial provision

Emphasizes that the 'funds' are specifically set aside or 'provided' for a purpose.

low financial input

Highlights the small amount of investment rather than just available funds.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest funds" to describe situations where financial resources are limited. For example: "Despite the modest funds, the team managed to complete the project successfully."

What are some alternatives to saying "modest funds"?

Alternatives include "limited financial resources", "small amount of capital", or "tight budget", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "modest funds" or "limited funding"?

Both "modest funds" and "limited funding" are acceptable. "Modest funds" emphasizes the small amount of money, while "limited funding" focuses on the restriction or constraint on the available financial resources.

What does "modest funds" imply about a project or organization?

"Modest funds" suggests that the project or organization operates with limited financial resources, possibly requiring careful planning and efficient resource allocation.