modest gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or moderate increase in something, such as profits, performance, or progress. Example: "The company reported a modest gain in revenue this quarter, indicating steady growth despite market challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several predicted a more modest gain, but even a 0.1 percentage point increase would put poverty at the highest level since 1965".

Huffington Post

Morgan Stanley eked out a modest gain.

The Economist

Even that modest gain is not very meaningful.

The Washington Post

But underlying inflation showed only a modest gain.

The New York Times

Pfizer said it expected a modest gain for Lipitor this year.

The New York Times

Bonds continued to benefit from the turbulence in stocks yesterday, managing a modest gain.

The New York Times

That is a modest gain and slightly below the company's estimate of 172,000 in June.

The New York Times

Best Buy rose $4.75, to $69.19, while Solectron closed off 44 cents at $47.06, having posted a modest gain earlier.

The New York Times

The Dow Jones industrials were down, but the technology-laden Nasdaq composite index showed a modest gain.

The New York Times

The obvious signal was that the play was going to be a run, and it was, for a modest gain.

The New York Times - Sports

Overall the market celebrated five years since the start of the financial crisis with a modest gain.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest gain" when you want to downplay the significance of an increase or improvement. It's useful when presenting data that shows positive but not substantial results.

Common error

Avoid using "modest gain" when the increase is actually significant. Choose a phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest gain" typically functions as a noun phrase where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "gain". It describes the extent or degree of the gain. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest gain" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small increase or improvement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used in news, business, and scientific contexts to present information objectively. While synonyms like "slight improvement" or "small increase" exist, "modest gain" is particularly useful when wanting to downplay the significance of an increase. It's important to use the phrase appropriately and avoid overstating the importance of the change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight improvement

Focuses on the act of becoming better, rather than quantifying the gain.

small increase

Emphasizes the numerical aspect of the rise.

marginal advance

Highlights that the progression is barely noticeable.

minor upturn

Suggests a turn from a downward trend, but remains limited.

limited growth

Underscores the constrained nature of the expansion.

incremental progress

Highlights the gradual and step-by-step nature of the development.

small step forward

Illustrates a small positive movement from a previous position.

humble advancement

Highlights that the progression is not dramatic or significant.

slight recovery

Implies a return from a previous loss, but to a small degree.

conservative increase

Emphasizes that the rise is cautiously estimated or managed.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest gain" to describe a small increase or improvement. For example, "The company reported a "modest gain" in profits this quarter."

What is a synonym for "modest gain"?

Synonyms for "modest gain" include "slight increase", "small improvement", or "marginal advance".

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

Yes, "modest gain" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business or economic contexts. It provides a neutral and objective way to describe small improvements.

What's the difference between "modest gain" and "significant gain"?

"Modest gain" implies a small or limited increase, while "significant gain" suggests a substantial or noteworthy improvement. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the gain you're describing.