modest in number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest in number" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a quantity that is relatively small or not excessive. Example: "The committee had a modest in number attendance, with only a few members present for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

They too are likely to be more modest in number than Mr Gove had hoped.

The Economist

These studies, subsequently summarised in systematic reviews, were modest in number and of relatively small sample size.

BMJ Open

These cases should be modest in number, rendering eating disorder NOS a small residual category, as NOS categories are intended to be.

Behaviour Research and Therapy

We designed the QI-MQCS items to be modest in number to ensure scoring feasibility, have strong face validity with QI stakeholders, meet psychometric standards to enable reliable assessment, avoid repeating internal validity items from study-design specific appraisal tools and applicable to a wide range of QI publications.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, the help that he received was modest in numbers.

Wikipedia

Thus, the modest improvement in number of entrances is unlikely to be due to memory for the shock zone itself.

Plosone

Although statistically significant, the modest difference in number of laps completed between the groups suggests a non-meaningful fitness difference at study onset [ 50, 51].

BMC Public Health

Analysis of lin-28 gfp lin-28 gfpched" wt and ced-3(lf) mutants in provided through a picture of a head together wtth quanditation that indiced-3 lfmodest ced-3 lf in numutants GFP+ cells when ced-3 is missing.

eLife

In order to improve durability of response for the high-risk patients, it may be indicated to explore RT dose escalation and/or a modest increase in number of fractions.

Cancer Medicine

"It is true," Ehrenhalt acknowledges, "that the return to the urban center has up to now been modest in absolute numbers".

The New York Times - Books

This fibrogenic state was supported by a modest increase in numbers of hepatic αSMA+ cells (7.1 vs 9.9 cells per HPF; P=0.015) as detected by immunohistochemistry.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest in number" when you want to emphasize that a quantity is small but sufficient or acceptable for a particular purpose. For example, "The attendance was modest in number, but the engagement was high."

Common error

Avoid using "modest in number" when a stronger term like 'scarce' or 'minimal' is more appropriate to convey the severity of the limited quantity. Ensure that 'modest' accurately reflects the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest in number" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a relatively small quantity. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing quantities of schools, studies, or cases.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest in number" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for describing a quantity that is relatively small or not excessive. Ludwig's examples reveal its use in scientific, news, and general contexts, indicating a formal to neutral register. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and well-suited for conveying a sense of limited quantity that is still acceptable or sufficient. Alternative phrases include "few in number" or "small in quantity", each with slight nuances in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Few in number

A direct synonym focusing on the scarcity.

Low in count

Uses 'count' as a substitute for 'number'.

Small in quantity

Replaces 'number' with the broader term 'quantity'.

Limited in quantity

Emphasizes the restricted amount or extent.

Restricted in amount

Emphasizes the limited nature of the quantity.

Reduced in quantity

Focuses on the diminishing amount.

Scarce in supply

Highlights the insufficient availability.

Minimal in quantity

Highlights the bare minimum or insignificant quantity.

Slight in amount

Underlines the small degree or extent.

In short supply

Indicates an insufficient availability.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest in number" to describe something that is relatively small or not excessive. For example: "The group was "modest in number", with only a few participants attending the workshop."

What are some alternatives to "modest in number"?

Alternatives include "few in number", "small in quantity", or "limited in amount", depending on the specific context.

Is "modest in number" the same as "small in number"?

While similar, "modest in number" suggests a quantity that is small but perhaps adequate, while "small in number" simply emphasizes the limited size without implying sufficiency. "Small in number" is more neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "modest in number"?

Use "modest in number" when you want to convey that a quantity is not large, but is acceptable or not problematic for the situation. It's suitable when a larger quantity isn't necessarily expected or required.