modest question

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest question" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to present a question in a humble or unassuming manner, often to soften the impact of the inquiry. Example: "I have a modest question regarding the project's timeline that I hope you can clarify."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A modest question arises, however: If great literature is so great, why is it that if you act on anything great literature tells you about life, you're in big trouble?

The New York Times - Books

The cautious move for the justices would have been to hear just one of the cases they were asked to consider, the one posing the relatively modest question of whether the federal government can discriminate against same-sex couples married in the places that allow such unions.

The New York Times

Now the progressive debate has been reduced to whether the likely final version (via Sen. Baucus) will be slightly better or significantly worse than today's status quo - and sadly, we can't know the answer to even that modest question yet.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And there are modest questions about a score of others.

The New York Times

In these comments, I raise modest questions about the logical constitution of an evaluation theory and about what is missing from a textual reading alone of such theory.

Evaluation and Program Planning

I have a few modest questions about that.

Huffington Post

Although the bleeding risk is modest, questions have arisen about treatment with DrotAA in patients predisposed to bleeding such as those with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Critical Care

A modest query and a vast question.

The Guardian - Books

Modest, with question marks.

The New York Times

With the economy weakening and elections only a few months away, party officials depicted the new agenda as a pronounced shift to the left, but some political analysts said the change was far more modest and questioned the party's ability to deliver.

The New York Times

Even so, he manufactured a humble and modest persona, questioned his own literary merit, and purposely used titles, such as Pencillings by the Way and Dashes at Life With Free Pencil, which downplayed their own quality.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest question" when you want to downplay the potential impact or importance of your inquiry, making it seem less intrusive or demanding.

Common error

Avoid using "modest question" when the inquiry is actually complex or critical. Overusing the phrase can undermine the importance of legitimate concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest question" functions as a qualifying adjective + noun construction, used to present an inquiry in an unassuming or humble manner. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English. The word "modest" serves to downplay the potential impact or complexity of the question.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest question" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to introduce an inquiry in an unassuming or humble way. While "modest question" is relatively infrequent, occurring in contexts such as News & Media and Science, its purpose is to soften the impact of the question and create a more collaborative environment. Related phrases include "humble query" and "simple question". Remember to use it judiciously to avoid downplaying important inquiries. The choice to use "modest question" signals sensitivity to social dynamics and a desire to avoid being perceived as intrusive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple question

Substitutes “simple” to emphasize the lack of complexity

simple inquiry

Replaces "question" with "inquiry", emphasizing the straightforward nature of the question.

minor inquiry

Uses "minor" to highlight the limited significance of the question.

humble query

Substitutes "modest" with "humble" and "question" with "query", both conveying a sense of deference.

unassuming question

Replaces "modest" with "unassuming", emphasizing the lack of pretension.

gentle question

Replaces "modest" with "gentle", softening the inquiry.

limited question

Emphasizes that the question is restricted in scope or complexity.

small concern

Replaces "question" with "concern", framing the inquiry as a minor issue.

contained question

Highlights that the question is restricted in scope or complexity.

basic question

Highlights the fundamental or elementary nature of the question.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest question" to introduce an inquiry that you want to frame as simple or unassuming. For example, "I have a modest question about the budget allocation."

What's the difference between "modest question" and "simple question"?

While both phrases suggest an uncomplicated inquiry, "modest question" also implies humility or a desire not to overstate the importance of the question, whereas "simple question" primarily refers to the ease of understanding or answering the query.

Are there situations where using "modest question" would be inappropriate?

Yes, if the question is complex or critical, using "modest question" may downplay its significance and could be misleading. In such cases, a more direct phrase would be better.

What are some alternatives to "modest question"?

Alternatives include "humble query", "basic question", or "minor inquiry", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.