modest responsibilities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest responsibilities" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe tasks or duties that are not overly demanding or significant in nature. Example: "In her new role, she was pleased to find that her modest responsibilities allowed her to maintain a good work-life balance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Some writers have taken government jobs, finding the steady paycheck and modest responsibilities conducive to their work.

The New York Times

That's how Hoover's initially modest Responsibilities Program ballooned into a vast and illegal national campaign of asinine, time-wasting, career-wrecking surveillance, targeting campus intellectuals who left to their own devices would have become harmless members of the mainstream.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Employers, however, have a relatively modest responsibility (Høgelund 2003).

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

But the new recruits have only modest teaching responsibilities; especially in big undergraduate courses, the burden of teaching falls on graduate student instructors and adjunct faculty, higher education's replaceable parts.

The New York Times

Or should he be paid a modest special-responsibility allowance?

The Economist

With citizenship goes some modest amount of responsibility.

The New York Times

The new plan will increase the scope of Mr. Pittman's role substantially and give a modest increase in operational responsibilities to Mr. Parsons, as well, who directly supervised only Warner Music and Warner Brothers at Time Warner.

The New York Times

This is because most Open University students already have established jobs and because of their work and family responsibilities and modest economic circumstances are unable to leave their locations to attend an on-campus university fulltime.

BMJ Open

Mr. Van Zandt is not modest in claiming some responsibility for this revival, but he cannot claim it all.

The New York Times - Arts

Critics maintain that Dennett's kind of free will, with its modest idea of "enough" responsibility, autonomy and control, is not really enough after all.

The Guardian

Her pre-recorded voice, which came through the loudspeaker in slightly accented, melodic sentences that came to sharp, uncertain ends, went on to explain how as an ultra-Orthodox Jew, she was taught that being modest was her greatest responsibility as a woman.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest responsibilities" to accurately describe a role or situation where the tasks involved are not overly demanding or complex. This can help set realistic expectations and avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "modest responsibilities" when the actual duties are significant or complex. This can lead to a mismatch between expectations and reality, causing frustration and dissatisfaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest responsibilities" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" is an adjective modifying the noun "responsibilities". It describes the extent or scope of duties or tasks assigned to someone or expected of them. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "modest responsibilities" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe duties or tasks that are not overly demanding or complex. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. It is found primarily in News & Media and Science contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both professional and general discourse. Alternatives include "limited duties" or "simple tasks", but using "modest responsibilities" effectively sets realistic expectations. When using the term, ensure that it accurately reflects the scope of the duties to avoid any mismatch between expectations and reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited duties

Focuses on the restriction of the tasks.

simple tasks

Emphasizes the ease and straightforwardness of the responsibilities.

light workload

Highlights the reduced amount of work involved.

minimal obligations

Stresses the reduced number of commitments.

easy duties

Focuses on the simplicity and lack of difficulty of the tasks.

manageable tasks

Emphasizes that the duties are within a reasonable scope.

reduced workload

Highlights the decreased amount of assigned work.

basic functions

Focuses on the fundamental and uncomplicated nature of the activities.

uncomplicated tasks

Highlights the straightforward and non-complex nature of the work.

minor duties

Emphasizes the small or insignificant nature of the tasks.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest responsibilities" to describe a job with limited duties or a situation where someone has few obligations. For example, "The new position came with "modest responsibilities" allowing for a better work-life balance".

What are some alternatives to saying "modest responsibilities"?

Alternatives include "limited duties", "simple tasks", or "light workload", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "modest responsibilities" in a formal setting?

Yes, "modest responsibilities" is appropriate for formal settings, but consider the context. In some cases, more precise language might be preferable, such as specifying the nature of the "limited duties".

What's the difference between "modest responsibilities" and "significant responsibilities"?

"Modest responsibilities" implies tasks that are simple and not overly burdensome, whereas "significant responsibilities" suggests duties that are important and require considerable effort and attention. Using the right term is critical for setting accurate expectations.