modest growth

USAGE SUMMARY

"modest growth" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing a slow but steady increase in size, population, or production. For example, "The company has experienced modest growth in the past year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But even modest growth is welcome news.

The Economist

We can't rest on modest growth".

The New York Times

Indeed, Mr. Cornell said, modest growth will work.

The New York Times

We will have a period of very modest growth".

The New York Times

Modest growth may be the best Goldman can hope for.

The New York Times

He called the quarter "modest growth in a tough environment".

The New York Times - Tech

"They have the strategy for reliable growth, but caveat -- it's modest growth".

The New York Times

For 2016, economists are forecasting another year of modest growth of around 2%.

The Guardian - Business

The company must find gargantuan amounts of new business just to show modest growth.

The New York Times

"Investors either want to see extreme growth and modest profitability or modest growth and good profits.

The Guardian - Tech

But the over-all picture is of an economy still stumbling along with modest growth.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic forecasts or business performance, use "modest growth" to temper expectations and convey realistic projections.

Common error

Avoid pairing "modest growth" with overly enthusiastic language. Phrases like "explosive modest growth" create a contradictory and confusing message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest growth" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "growth". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It describes a state of expansion that is limited in scale or rate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest growth" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that describes a small or gradual increase, according to Ludwig AI. It's commonly used in news, business, and scientific contexts to set realistic expectations about economic or business performance. While generally neutral, context determines whether it's viewed as positive or negative. Related phrases include "slight increase", "gradual expansion", and "limited progress". To ensure correct usage, avoid overstating the growth and consider alternative phrases when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight increase

Focuses on the small degree of the increase, similar to 'modest', but replaces 'growth' with 'increase'.

gradual expansion

Highlights the slow, step-by-step nature of the growth or increase.

limited progress

Emphasizes the constrained nature of the progress.

small upturn

Refers specifically to a slight positive change after a decline.

marginal improvement

Suggests the improvement is barely noticeable.

gentle rise

Indicates a smooth and unpronounced increase.

controlled development

Highlights a slow development.

steady increment

Focuses on growth occurring in small, regular amounts.

measured advance

Emphasizes the slow nature of the advance.

conservative expansion

Suggests a cautious and restrained approach to growth.

FAQs

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

"Modest growth" is typically used to describe a small or gradual increase in something. For example, "The company experienced "modest growth" in sales this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "modest growth"?

You can use alternatives like "slight increase", "gradual expansion", or "limited progress" depending on the context.

Is "modest growth" a positive or negative term?

It's generally neutral. It indicates that something is increasing, but not dramatically. Its connotation depends on the context; it can be positive if improvement is needed, or negative if high growth was expected.

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

"Modest growth" implies a small increase, while "significant growth" suggests a large, noticeable increase. The choice depends on the actual magnitude of the change being described.