modest savings

USAGE SUMMARY

'modest savings' is correct and usable in written English.
To use it, you can refer to a small amount of money someone saves when they buy something. For example: "By shopping on sale, I was able to make modest savings this month on my grocery bill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

For the first time, so the rhetoric goes, instead of being penalised for having saved, people with modest savings will get a benefit top-up to reward a lifetime of thrift.

The Guardian

People with modest savings are not protected.

The Guardian

The new regime is expected to reap only modest savings.

The New York Times

What to do with his modest savings is another problem.

The New York Times

In 1987, he put up most of his modest savings to start publishing the review.

The New York Times

Even relatively modest savings can amount to an impressive nest egg, he said.

The New York Times

We may be alone, on modest savings or none at all and a tiny pension.

Independent

He lives on his modest savings and a pension, but he is hardly morose.

The New York Times

It will be charged to their pension pots and eat into their already modest savings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Network companies are also being asked to find some modest savings.

The Guardian

Fifty years ago I inherited a very modest savings account from my maternal grandmother.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest savings" when you want to convey that someone has some savings, but the amount is not substantial enough to provide significant financial security.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "modest savings", which refers to the accumulated amount, with "modest saving", which refers to the act of saving in small increments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest savings" functions as a noun phrase, where "modest" serves as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun "savings". It often describes the limited financial resources accumulated by an individual or entity, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest savings" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a small amount of accumulated money. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts. Its frequency is high in news and media, and formal business contexts. When you need to convey the idea of limited financial resources, using "modest savings" is a reliable and neutral choice. Be mindful of the subtle differences between "modest savings" and similar phrases, as well as the potential confusion with "modest saving", which refers to the act rather than the accumulated amount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small amount of savings

Focuses on the quantity of savings being small, instead of emphasizing the humility or moderation.

limited savings

Highlights the restricted nature of the savings available.

meager savings

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the savings.

humble savings

Like "modest", it suggests a lack of pretension, but applied to savings.

small nest egg

Uses a metaphor to describe the savings, implying it's for future use.

minimal savings

Highlights that the savings are as small as possible

conservative savings

Highlights the cautious approach to saving.

slight savings

Replaces "modest" with a direct synonym indicating a small quantity.

small economies

Shifts focus to the act of economizing resulting in small savings.

limited resources

Broadens the scope to encompass overall financial limitations, not just savings.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest savings" to describe a small amount of money that someone has saved. For example: "Despite working hard, she only had "modest savings" after many years."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "modest savings"?

Alternatives include "limited savings", "meager savings", or a "small nest egg". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone has "modest savings"?

It means they have saved some money, but the amount is not large enough to provide significant financial security or allow for major purchases or investments.

Is it better to say "small savings" or "modest savings"?

Both "small savings" and "modest savings" are acceptable. "Modest savings" may imply a sense of humility or lack of extravagance, while "small savings" is a more straightforward description of the amount.