modest issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or concern that is not significant or serious in nature. Example: "While there were a few setbacks during the project, they were merely a modest issue that we were able to resolve quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

That problem is ignored since most of the show seems to forget about the very modest issue of Father Divine and focuses on his followers, who are soon falling in love with each other and wondering if the whole no-sex thing is such a good idea after all.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In the first three weeks after the attack, firefighters, construction workers and others sought medical assistance 6,342 times, for problems like broken bones, burns or more modest issues, like blisters or sprains.

The New York Times

While reaching a settlement with Google on a handful of relatively modest issues, the F.T.C. has left unresolved the legitimate fears that Internet companies like Expedia and Yelp have about how Google uses its power to push into online businesses like travel bookings and restaurant reviews while pushing aside rivals.

The New York Times

The discrepancy between these results may reflect the issue of heterogeneity to detect modest effect sizes.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Another, more modest methodologic issue is the fact that the washout period between doses was apparently not varied experimentally, but rather analyzed after the fact.

eLife

We now state in the manuscript the following: " Figure 2 figure supplement 1 shows that the changes in spectral shape do not represent a "performance confound"…" 3) " Another, more modest methodologic issue is the fact that the washout period between doses was apparently not varied experimentally, but rather analyzed after the fact.

eLife

"Modest effect.

Huffington Post

In themselves, limits on offshore drilling are only a modest-sized issue.

The New York Times

As he had in their previous meeting, Brady dissected the Texans' secondary, fulfilling a modest prediction issued earlier in the week by his coach, Bill Belichick: "You don't win a war by digging a foxhole and sitting in it.

The New York Times - Sports

The costs in France are modest, and issues of access are rare.

Huffington Post

Our book reviews — and our art and movie and theatre reviews — are not so much polite as, to borrow the phrase John Berryman used to describe W. H. Auden's criticism in that first New York Review issue, "modest and generous".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest issue" when you want to downplay the significance of a problem or concern, suggesting it is easily manageable or not worth excessive attention.

Common error

Avoid using "modest issue" when the situation is actually serious or complex, as it can undermine the credibility of your statement or analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest issue" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "issue". It describes a problem or concern that is not significant or serious. As Ludwig explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest issue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a problem or concern of minor significance. As Ludwig AI clarifies, it's considered correct and usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase serves to downplay the importance of the subject, suggesting it's easily manageable. When using this phrase, ensure that the problem is indeed minor to avoid misrepresentation. Consider alternatives like "minor problem" or "small concern" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor problem

Replaces "modest" with "minor", indicating a slight degree of insignificance.

small concern

Substitutes "issue" with "concern", implying a slightly more emotional aspect.

trivial matter

Emphasizes the insignificance of the issue with "trivial".

insignificant detail

Highlights the lack of importance by calling it an "insignificant detail".

slight difficulty

Replaces "issue" with "difficulty", suggesting a problem requiring some effort to resolve.

minor setback

Implies a temporary delay or problem rather than a fundamental issue.

limited challenge

Highlights constraints while maintaining the idea of a non-major obstacle.

paltry concern

Conveys contempt or disdain for the issue's insignificance.

unremarkable complication

Emphasizes the lack of distinctiveness of the issue using "unremarkable".

negligible hiccup

Uses informal term "hiccup" to denote a temporary and small disruption.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest issue" to describe a problem that isn't severe. For example: "While there were a few setbacks during the project, they were merely a "modest issue" that we were able to resolve quickly."

What are some alternatives to "modest issue"?

You can use alternatives like "minor problem", "small concern", or "trivial matter" depending on the context.

Is "modest issue" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "modest issue" is suitable for formal writing as it's a clear and professional way to describe an insignificant problem. However, consider "minor problem" as an alternative depending on the context and desired tone.

How does "modest issue" differ from "major problem"?

"Modest issue" indicates a small, easily resolved problem, while "major problem" suggests a significant, potentially difficult to resolve situation. The choice depends on the actual scale and impact of the problem.