modest questions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest questions" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to questions that are humble or unassuming in nature. Example: She asked a few modest questions during the meeting, showing her eagerness to learn more about the company's goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 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

A modest query and a vast question.

The Guardian - Books

The reviewers had the following modest concerns, questions and requests: A. Theory:1) Sphere model for Eoc h.

eLife

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When posing "modest questions", ensure they are genuinely aimed at clarification or understanding, not as veiled criticisms or challenges.

Common error

Avoid using "modest questions" as a sarcastic or passive-aggressive tactic. Ensure your tone aligns with the genuinely humble nature of the inquiry.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest questions" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "questions". It serves to describe the nature or character of the inquiries being made, suggesting they are humble, unassuming, or limited in scope. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "modest questions" is grammatically correct and refers to inquiries that are humble, unassuming, or limited in scope. While Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity, it's important to use the phrase with sincerity and avoid any sarcastic or passive-aggressive undertones. The frequency of use is rare. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is typically found in News & Media and Science sources. Remember to consider the specific context and your intent when using "modest questions" to ensure your message is clear and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple inquiries

Replaces "questions" with a synonym suggesting straightforwardness and lack of complexity.

unassuming queries

Substitutes both "modest" and "questions" with synonyms emphasizing humility and the nature of the inquiries.

limited scope questions

Focuses on the restricted nature of the questions, highlighting their narrow focus.

restrained inquiries

Highlights the controlled and measured nature of the questioning.

gentle probing

Softens the tone, suggesting a delicate and careful approach to asking questions.

minor questions

Emphasizes the relative unimportance or small scale of the questions.

basic questions

Focuses on fundamental inquiries rather than something complex.

preliminary inquiries

Highlights that the questions serve as an introduction to further discussion.

small number of questions

Shifts the emphasis to the quantity of questions instead of their nature.

humble inquiries

Focuses on the respectful and unassuming manner in which the questions are asked.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest questions" to describe inquiries that are humble or limited in scope. For instance, "She approached the expert with a few "simple inquiries" to gain a better understanding of the topic."

What are some alternatives to "modest questions"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "unassuming queries", "limited scope questions", or "gentle probing".

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

"Modest questions" implies a humble or unassuming approach, while "simple questions" refers to the straightforwardness or lack of complexity in the inquiries themselves. The difference relies on the intention of the questioner or the nature of the question.

When is it appropriate to ask "modest questions"?

It's appropriate to ask "modest questions" when you're genuinely seeking clarification, approaching a topic with humility, or when the scope of your inquiry is intentionally limited to specific details.