modest offering

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest offering" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or humble contribution, often in a context of giving or presenting something. Example: "In the spirit of gratitude, I would like to present this modest offering to the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Brightcove's debut — which at the midpoint of its price range will value the Web company at $290.1 million — will be a relatively modest offering.

The New York Times

A recent analysis by Goldman Sachs found that the effects of a federal minimum wage increase on employment levels would be relatively modest, offering a rosier view of the Democrats' proposal than a recent study from the Congressional Budget Office.

Huffington Post

When the fund first offered shares, a modest offering of 2.5 million shares quickly ballooned to a total of 27 million, bringing the fund $247 million in capital and representing what was at the time the biggest offering in investment company history.

The New York Times

Gerard Manley Hopkins's At the Wedding March is a more modest offering than Spenser's poem, but it seems more personal.

The Guardian - Books

Tipping is a filthy foreign habit, of course, but Thai taxi drivers and waitresses won't object, if you give a modest offering of no more than 20 baht.

The Economist

Victoria Beckham's first collection, a modest offering of just six styles ($1,800 to $13,950), focuses on a central and alluring theme: 24 hours in the life of Victoria.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Of the three auction houses, Sotheby's had by far the most modest offerings.

The New York Times

Several strong works among those by 25 artists compel attention, and the more modest offerings are at least material for discussion.

The New York Times

Even more telling evidence of the buyers' eagerness was provided by the unusually high success rate of the Impressionist and Modern Art day sale, traditionally reserved for the most modest offerings.

The New York Times - Arts

And Catholic strongholds remain hostile to rivals: last year an exotic Luz del Mundo temple in Guanajuato was vandalised.At the same time, as the state gets better at bringing basic services to distant places, the outsiders' modest offerings are being superseded.

The Economist

More modest tools, offering only elementary two-dimensional graphics, are the "paint" programs commonly installed on home computers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest offering" when you want to convey humility or a lack of extravagance in a gift, contribution, or presentation. It's especially effective when contrasting with larger or more ostentatious gestures.

Common error

Avoid using "modest offering" in situations requiring utmost professionalism. While appropriate in many scenarios, overly formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "contribution" or "donation" for clarity and directness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest offering" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes something given or presented in a humble or small way. Ludwig confirms its validity and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest offering" is a valid and usable English expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, that describes a humble or small gift, contribution, or presentation. While grammatically correct and generally neutral in tone, it's important to consider the context when using it. As a noun phrase, it conveys humility and a lack of pretense, making it suitable for situations where downplaying the significance of the offering is desired. Though examples are uncommon, the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media. Alternatives such as "humble contribution" or "small gift" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humble contribution

Emphasizes the giver's humility more strongly than "offering".

small gift

Focuses on the size of the gift, implying it's not extravagant.

token gesture

Highlights the symbolic value of the offering, rather than its material worth.

simple donation

Specifically refers to a charitable contribution that is not large.

unpretentious gift

Emphasizes lack of showiness or pretension in the gift.

meager offering

Stresses the small and possibly inadequate nature of the offering.

minor contribution

Highlights the relative unimportance of the contribution.

small token

Similar to token gesture, but emphasizes the object itself.

limited provision

Suggests a small amount provided, often in a formal context.

minimal offering

Focuses on the fact that the offering is the smallest possible.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest offering" to describe something small and humble that you are giving or presenting. For example: "This book is a modest offering of gratitude for your help".

What's a good alternative to "modest offering"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "humble contribution", "small gift", or "token gesture".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "modest offering"?

It's appropriate when you want to downplay the significance or value of something you're presenting, often to express humility or avoid appearing boastful.

Is "modest offering" more formal or informal?

The phrase is relatively neutral but leans slightly towards the formal side. A "small gift" might be considered more informal while a "humble contribution" could be perceived as more formal.