modest miracle

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest miracle" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a small but significant positive event or outcome that may not seem extraordinary but still feels remarkable. For example, "The community came together to support the family in need, and it felt like a modest miracle." Alternative expressions include "small miracle," "humble miracle," and "minor miracle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Van Gogh turns his winter fruits into a modest miracle.

The Guardian

But it is with Paolo that Mr. Amelio works a modest miracle.

The New York Times

It was a modest miracle that there inside the United name is that nickname, ready-made".

The New York Times - Magazine

"I believe I achieved a modest miracle for the yellow-skinned Chinese people and the Asian people," he said afterward.

The New Yorker

It is our understanding that the Canadian government passed a modest miracle enabling the child to be born in Holland while the mother was in Canada.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

If you're a student living in a cropped, nondescript suburb like Surbiton – nothing against nondescript places; I grew up somewhere nondescript – then a two-up, two-down sesh, however modest, can be considered a small miracle.

Vice

Small miracle.

The New Yorker

A spiritual successor to 2014's Heaven Is for Real, which grossed an astounding $101m worldwide (off a modest $12m budget), Miracles of Heaven is tailor-made to appeal to the faithful, and is bound to make a healthy profit.

The Guardian - Film

After World War II, he settled in Israel, established a home and a family, and contributed in his modest way to the miracle of Jewish renaissance.

The New York Times

"On achievement, the story in New York City is of some modest progress, but not the miracle that the mayor and the chancellor would like to claim".

The New York Times

Michael J. Petrilli, from the education think tank Thomas B. Fordham Institute, said, "On achievement, the story in New York City is of some modest progress, but not the miracle that the mayor and the chancellor would like to claim".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest miracle" to describe an unexpected positive outcome that is not grand or overwhelming, but still noteworthy and appreciated. It is best used when emphasizing the surprising or fortunate nature of an event.

Common error

Avoid using "modest miracle" to describe genuinely large-scale or transformative events. The phrase implies a smaller, more contained positive occurrence; overusing it can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest miracle" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" modifies the noun "miracle". It's used to describe something positive, unexpected, and seemingly improbable, though not on a grand scale. Ludwig examples show its use in describing art, personal achievements, and fortunate circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest miracle" is a noun phrase used to describe a small but noteworthy positive event. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and suitable for general use, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While not overly formal, it effectively conveys a sense of appreciation and wonder. When using this phrase, ensure that the scale of the event aligns with its meaning – something surprisingly positive, but not overwhelmingly grand. If you are looking for alternatives, "small wonder" or "minor miracle" could also be suitable options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor miracle

Simply replaces "modest" with the similar term "minor".

tiny miracle

Emphasizes the diminutive size of the event, keeping the core meaning.

slight miracle

Emphasizes the small scale of the miracle, maintaining the core meaning.

humble miracle

Replaces "modest" with "humble", highlighting the understated nature of the positive event.

small wonder

Replaces "miracle" with "wonder", emphasizing the element of surprise and slight disbelief at a positive outcome.

limited miracle

Specifies that the scope or impact of the miracle is confined.

minor marvel

Substitutes both "modest" and "miracle" with synonyms, maintaining the sense of something small but impressive.

quiet triumph

Shifts the focus to the result being a success, but one that isn't loudly proclaimed.

understated blessing

Uses "blessing" instead of "miracle", adding a sense of divine favor while keeping the scale small.

small stroke of luck

Replaces "miracle" with a more secular term, but retains the sense of a positive, unexpected occurrence.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest miracle" to describe an unexpected positive outcome that is not grand or overwhelming, but still noteworthy and appreciated. For instance: "Van Gogh turns his winter fruits into a "modest miracle".

What phrases are similar to "modest miracle"?

Alternatives to "modest miracle" include phrases like "minor miracle", "small wonder", or "quiet triumph", each emphasizing a slightly different aspect of the positive event.

Is it appropriate to use "modest miracle" in formal writing?

Yes, "modest miracle" is appropriate for many contexts, including news articles and descriptive writing. However, be mindful of the tone. In hyper-formal or scientific writing, a more precise or technical term might be preferable.

What's the difference between "modest miracle" and "major miracle"?

"Modest miracle" implies a small but significant positive event, while "major miracle" indicates a large-scale, transformative event. The key difference is the magnitude and impact of the occurrence.