modest success

USAGE SUMMARY

'modest success' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when referring to a small amount of success, usually in comparison to a larger, more impressive success. For example: Despite the small size of their team, the company was able to achieve a modest success with their latest product launch.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Cognitive-enhancing drugs have not as yet been successful and cognitive remediation has shown modest success.

European Neuropsychopharmacology

A modest success.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sugar (1972) enjoyed a modest success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"Chicago Fire" proved a modest success.

The New York Times

Timbering and fisheries enjoy modest success.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We had some modest success.

The New York Times - Travel

His first startup was a modest success.

The Guardian

I was rewarded with modest success.. . .

The Washington Post

Already, there has been modest success.

The New York Times

The promotions have had modest success.

The New York Times

"Just a minute," said Roberto, strengthened by his modest success.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modest success", consider quantifying the success with specific data or metrics to provide a clearer picture of the actual achievement. For example, "The marketing campaign achieved a modest success, increasing sales by 5%."

Common error

Avoid using "modest success" when the achievement is actually significant. Using it inappropriately can downplay a considerable accomplishment and mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest success" functions primarily as a noun phrase where the adjective "modest" modifies the noun "success". It indicates a limited or moderate level of achievement. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig AI, highlighting its correctness and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest success" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that describes a limited or moderate achievement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a reliable expression to use in writing when accuracy is important. While the phrase appears across various contexts, it is most common in News & Media and Science publications. It's important to ensure that the application of "modest success" is relevant to the real magnitude of success, and the best practice is to quantify the success with data. Alternatives such as "limited success" or "slight success" can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the nuances you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited success

Emphasizes the restricted scope or extent of the success.

slight success

Highlights the small degree of achievement.

partial success

Suggests that only some aspects of a goal were achieved.

moderate achievement

Focuses on the level of accomplishment as being neither high nor low.

limited breakthrough

Indicates a minor advancement or discovery.

humble triumph

Highlights the small nature of victory.

marginal gains

Suggests small improvements or advantages gained.

reasonable result

Indicates an acceptable but not outstanding outcome.

respectable outcome

Emphasizes that the result is worthy of recognition, albeit not exceptional.

tempered triumph

The success is balanced by a feeling of restraint because it's not as complete or overwhelming as it could be.

FAQs

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

You can use "modest success" to describe an achievement that is not particularly large or impressive. For instance, "The company experienced "modest success" with its new product launch, but sales were lower than expected."

What are some alternatives to saying "modest success"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "limited success", "slight success", or "partial success" as alternatives to "modest success".

Is it appropriate to use "modest success" in formal writing?

Yes, "modest success" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe an achievement that is not particularly significant. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and usability.

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

"Modest success" indicates a small or limited degree of achievement, while "significant success" implies a large or substantial accomplishment. The choice depends on the actual scale of the achievement.