modest honorarium

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest honorarium" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say "I offered the keynote speaker a modest honorarium for his efforts".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Disclosure note | The Asahi Corporation covered my travel costs and provided a modest honorarium.

The New York Times

Pharmaceutical companies say it is that desire for education, rather than a free meal or modest honorarium, that draws many doctors to the meetings.

The New York Times

He added, "Over the years, Herman Cain has spoken at our events sometimes without charge, and other times we might pick up travel expenses or give a modest honorarium.

The New Yorker

Help support the arts at Duke! Calling all arts-interested undergraduate students at Duke help support the Rubenstein Arts Center and receive professional experience and behind-the-scenes access (not to mention a modest honorarium!).

Duke University

The modest honorarium, $35,000, doesn't go far, and some poets use the time to write, advise the library on matters of poetry and explore the collections.

Los Angeles Times

All parents received a modest honorarium for their participation in the study.

BMC Pediatrics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Some include a small honorarium.

University of California, Berkeley

The church was worried that he would not be able to live out his years in an appropriate manner, and passed a resolution to give him a modest monthly honorarium contingent on the church's future prosperity.

Forbes

The honorarium is $1,000.

The New York Times

(It came complete with an honorarium).

The New Yorker

We're talking honorarium city here.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest honorarium" when you want to convey that the payment is appropriate and not excessive for the service provided.

Common error

While appropriate in many contexts, avoid using "modest honorarium" when a larger, more substantial payment is warranted. Consider using terms like "competitive salary" or "generous compensation" when the situation calls for it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest honorarium" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "honorarium". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. The examples provided in Ludwig show that it often acts as the object of a verb, such as "receive" or "offer".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest honorarium" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a small payment or token of appreciation for services rendered. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that the amount is genuinely modest and appropriate to avoid misrepresenting the compensation. If a larger payment is intended, consider alternatives like "competitive salary" or "generous compensation". The term's neutral to professional register makes it suitable for formal communications, offering a balanced approach to acknowledging contributions without overstating financial value.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest compensation

Synonymous, replacing "honorarium" with a more common term for payment.

small stipend

Similar to honorarium, but often used in academic or research contexts.

small payment

Replaces "honorarium" with a more general term, focusing on the monetary aspect.

reasonable compensation

Emphasizes the fairness of the payment in relation to the service provided.

token payment

Implies the payment is more symbolic than substantial.

nominal fee

Highlights that the fee is very low, almost symbolic.

reasonable fee

Focuses on the appropriateness of the fee amount.

symbolic payment

Emphasizes that the payment's value is more symbolic than economic.

small gratuity

Suggests a voluntary payment given for a service.

modest gratuity

Similar to gratuity, payment is given voluntarily.

FAQs

How do I use "modest honorarium" in a sentence?

You can use "modest honorarium" to describe a small payment offered for services. For example, "The university offered a "modest honorarium" to the guest lecturer."

What's a suitable alternative to "modest honorarium"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "small payment", "reasonable compensation", or "nominal fee".

Is it appropriate to offer a "modest honorarium" for professional services?

Yes, a "modest honorarium" is appropriate when acknowledging someone's time and effort without implying a full professional fee. It's often used for guest speakers, consultants, or advisors.

What distinguishes an "honorarium" from a regular payment?

An honorarium is typically a one-time, voluntary payment given as a token of appreciation or gratitude for services rendered, unlike a regular payment, which is contractual and based on an agreed-upon rate.