modest suggestion of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest suggestion of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to present an idea or recommendation in a gentle or unassuming manner. Example: "I have a modest suggestion of trying a different approach to improve our results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Even a modest suggestion of voluntary retirement founders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Blustein has a few modest suggestions of his own.

The New York Times - Books

But modest suggestions of this sort may be easier for some to accept than grander World Bank prescriptions.

The Economist

Preterm birth < 37 weeks had at most modest suggestions of an association, whereas preterm birth < 32 weeks generated large and imprecise elevations in risk, markedly strengthened by Bayesian calibration to estimate exposure.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A year ago, as Washington grappled with the shooting rampage that nearly took the life of Representative Gabrielle Giffords, the centrist group Third Way made a modest suggestion to members of Congress: Mingle with lawmakers from the opposite party at the State of the Union address.

The New York Times

Here is a modest suggestion for James B. Lockhart, chairman of the F.H.F.A., to consider: Do the new owners — us deep-pocketed taxpayers — a favor, and open up Mac 'n' Mae's books so we can see exactly what we own.

The New York Times

So in the words of Jonathan Swift, I want to make a modest suggestion to the folks who have committed themselves to bringing an end to gun violence in the United States.

Huffington Post

In the spirit of "every little thing can help," I have a modest suggestion to reverse the trend: enact a tax on drive-through food orders.

The New York Times

Californians' excited reactions to Dunkin Donuts arriving in their state is the subject of Maher's latest "New Rule," wherein he offers a modest suggestion for anyone who's that committed to the fast food experience.

Huffington Post

And here's a modest suggestion for political reporters.

The New York Times

A modest suggestion for Keane: Go with the "or something".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest suggestion of" when introducing an idea or solution that you don't want to seem forceful or overbearing. This phrasing is particularly useful in collaborative environments where humility and openness are valued.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple qualifiers. While "modest suggestion of" is acceptable, adding more adjectives (e.g., "a very small, modest suggestion of") can make your writing sound hesitant or unclear. Choose the most effective modifier and use it sparingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest suggestion of" functions as a hedge, softening the introduction of an idea. It presents a proposal in an unassuming manner, reducing potential resistance. This is consistent with the Ludwig AI assessment, which identifies it as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest suggestion of" is a polite and unassuming way to introduce an idea or recommendation. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It is particularly useful in collaborative settings where open communication and humility are valued. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears in reputable news sources and scientific publications. Alternatives include "humble proposal for" and "gentle recommendation regarding", which similarly soften the introduction of an idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humble proposal for

Replaces "suggestion" with "proposal" and "modest" with "humble", emphasizing deference.

gentle recommendation regarding

Substitutes "suggestion" with "recommendation" and "modest" with "gentle", softening the assertive tone.

slight proposition concerning

Uses "proposition" for "suggestion" and "slight" for "modest", indicating a less impactful idea.

minor piece of advice about

Replaces "suggestion" with "piece of advice" and "modest" with "minor", highlighting the limited scope.

small idea for

Simplifies the phrase using more common vocabulary to indicate a basic proposal.

tentative offering regarding

Emphasizes the uncertainty of the proposal by using "tentative offering" instead of "modest suggestion".

preliminary thought on

Indicates an initial consideration rather than a fully formed suggestion.

unassuming notion about

Highlights the non-imposing nature of the idea, using "unassuming notion".

limited recommendation regarding

Specifies the scope of the recommendation using "limited" instead of "modest".

brief advice concerning

Focuses on the conciseness and limited nature of the advice.

FAQs

How can I use "modest suggestion of" in a sentence?

You can use "modest suggestion of" to introduce a gentle or unassuming proposal, as in, "I have a modest suggestion of "trying a different approach" to this problem".

What phrases are similar to "modest suggestion of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "humble proposal for", "gentle recommendation regarding", or "slight proposition concerning", all indicating a less assertive suggestion.

Is it better to use "modest suggestion of" or a more direct phrase?

The choice depends on the context. "Modest suggestion of" is suitable when you want to be polite or avoid appearing forceful. A more direct phrase is appropriate when clarity and efficiency are paramount.

When is it not appropriate to use "modest suggestion of"?

Avoid using "modest suggestion of" in situations that require directness or assertiveness, such as emergency situations or when giving critical feedback that needs to be clearly understood.