modest response

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest response" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a reply or reaction that is humble or not overly assertive in nature. Example: "Her modest response to the compliment showed her humility and grace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We all find it somewhere!" would come the modest response.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is a disproportionately modest response to an enormous problem".

The Guardian

Despite her modest response, Lochhead, a critical and popular favourite, had been tipped to take the post.

The Guardian - Books

The room had been full of historians, political and literary journalists, and novelists, and he was irked at their modest response.

The Guardian

Long before his battle with cancer made him the natural object of sympathy he had won admiration for his successes and affection for his modest response to them.

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm a little surprised they're not walking the 500 miles just to lay down such a proposal at my door," was his modest response.

Independent

Here's the best bit of political insight: david ewart (@davidbewart) when tony abbott trends on twitter its usually not so good for the lnp #sexygate August 13, 2013 Here's the least modest response: Melissa Grant (@mel_grant) Young, feisty, sexy.

The Guardian

This study is limited by the modest response rate.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The relatively small sample size, only modest response rate to this survey, and lack of information regarding respondents' exposure to BD patients are significant limitations.

Annals of Intensive Care

This survey has inherent limitations, including a modest response rate, optional participation without incentives, and inability to capture many patient level data including acute symptomatology.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

At loads below Fc the strain response is dominated by a rapid suppression of the compressive OL feature with modest response at the crack tip.

International Journal of Fatigue

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's reaction to praise or success, use "modest response" to highlight their humility and lack of arrogance.

Common error

Avoid using "moderate response" when you intend to convey humility. "Moderate" suggests a middle-ground intensity, while "modest" indicates humility or a lack of boastfulness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest response" typically functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "response". It describes the quality or nature of the reaction, indicating it is humble, understated, or not excessive. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest response" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a humble or understated reaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in both scientific and news-related contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of humility rather than simply indicating a moderate level of reaction. Related phrases such as "unassuming reaction" or "restrained reply" can provide alternative ways to express similar sentiments. It's important to not confuse it with something like "moderate response", which is more about the amount of the response and not the humbleness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unassuming reaction

Replaces "response" with "reaction" and "modest" with "unassuming", emphasizing humility.

restrained reply

Substitutes "response" with "reply" and "modest" with "restrained", highlighting control.

reserved reaction

Uses "reserved" instead of "modest", suggesting a more controlled or private response.

muted answer

Replaces "response" with "answer" and "modest" with "muted", indicating a softened or quiet reaction.

subtle reaction

Emphasizes the understated nature of the reaction using "subtle".

minimal acknowledgment

Replaces "response" with "acknowledgment" and "modest" with "minimal", suggesting a small degree of recognition.

limited reaction

Indicates that the reaction was not extensive or comprehensive.

understated reply

Highlights the subtle and restrained nature of the reply.

humble reaction

Focuses on the humility and lack of arrogance in the reaction.

low-key response

Uses a more informal term, "low-key", to describe the understated nature of the response.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest response" to describe someone's reaction to praise or success, emphasizing their humility. For example: "Despite the accolades, her response was modest".

What's a similar phrase to "modest response" that I could use?

You can use alternatives like "unassuming reaction", "restrained reply", or "humble reaction" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "modest reaction" instead of "modest response"?

Yes, "modest reaction" is a perfectly acceptable alternative to "modest response". Both phrases carry a similar meaning, indicating a humble or understated reply.

What's the difference between a "modest response" and a "minimal response"?

A "modest response" implies humility and a lack of boastfulness, while a "minimal response" suggests a small or insufficient reaction. While both can be understated, "minimal response" focuses on the degree of reaction rather than the attitude behind it.