modest influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of impact or effect that is not overwhelming or significant, often in a context where influence is being discussed. Example: "The new policy had a modest influence on the overall performance of the team, leading to slight improvements in productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The Iranians have modest influence and a lot of local knowledge, but America mistrusts them.

The Economist

The research paper notes that the experiment only had a modest influence on user behaviour.

The Economist

On the other hand, a modest influence is observed when a dynamic programming strategy is followed.

Energy

Phosphoglucomutase and UDPG-pyrophosphorylase have a modest influence, while the control exerted by glycogen synthase is null.

FEBS Letters

Evidence was collected suggesting that although MyD88 is influential in promoting Th2 responses, and there was a modest influence of the microbiota, MyD88 operates independently of TLRs.

Cornell University

To others, he was merely a regional mannerist creating an eccentric personal style that had little resonance and modest influence on the future of architecture.

University of Pennsylvania

Khashoggi, a contributing columnist for The Washington Post, was a writer of modest influence beyond the Middle East when he was alive.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Although deep tillage had only modest influences on seepage and percolation (SP) rates in both years (Y1, Y2), landscape placement and establishment practice had significant implications for the water balance (e.g. Y2 SP cm day−1: TPR-lowland = 1.6, DSR-lowland = 2.3, TPR-upland = 4.1, DSR-upland = 6.1).

Field Crops Research

The modest influences of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes found in the current study add support to the idea that mitochondrial function plays a role in AIDS pathogenesis.

Plosone

Our previous studies on mitochondrial DNA that showed European haplogroups with presumed functional differences were associated with AIDS progression and HAART mediated adverse events [12], [13], and the modest influences of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes found in the current study add support to the idea that mitochondrial function plays a role in AIDS pathogenesis.

Plosone

There are modest influences of non-shared environment at each age independently (e 2 = 0.22 and 0.21, respectively), with these influences being largely age-specific.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the effect of a policy or action, use "modest influence" to convey that the effect is present but not substantial. For instance, "The new regulations had a "modest influence" on reducing pollution levels."

Common error

Avoid using "modest influence" when the actual impact is significant or transformative. Using it in such cases can undermine the importance of the effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe the extent to which something affects or shapes an outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest influence" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe an impact that is present but not overwhelming. Ludwig AI confirms it’s usable in written English to describe a level of effect that is not overwhelming or significant. Appearing most commonly in scientific, news, and academic contexts, it conveys a sense of measured objectivity. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "limited impact" or "slight effect" for subtle variations in meaning. Ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the situation; avoid using it when the impact is, in fact, substantial. Using "modest influence" appropriately enhances clarity and credibility in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited impact

Focuses on the extent of the effect, highlighting its restricted nature.

slight effect

Emphasizes the small degree of change produced.

minor impact

Similar to 'limited impact' but slightly more formal.

marginal effect

Implies the effect is barely noticeable or significant.

subtle influence

Suggests the influence is delicate and not immediately obvious.

restrained impact

Highlights the controlled or limited nature of the impact.

limited sway

Replaces 'influence' with 'sway', emphasizing the power to persuade or control within constraints.

small degree of influence

Specifies the amount of influence, making it explicitly small.

tempered effect

Indicates that the effect is moderated or weakened.

contained influence

Suggests that the scope or reach of the influence is restricted.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest influence" to describe something that has a slight or limited impact. For example, "The campaign had a "modest influence" on voter turnout."

What are some alternatives to "modest influence"?

Some alternatives include "limited impact", "slight effect", or "minor impact".

Is it better to say "modest influence" or "significant influence"?

The choice depends on the degree of impact you want to convey. Use "modest influence" when the impact is small, and "significant influence" when the impact is large.

What's the difference between "modest influence" and "negligible influence"?

"Modest influence" implies some discernible effect, while "negligible influence" indicates that the effect is so small it's practically nonexistent.