modest tally of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest tally of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or unassuming count or number of something, often in a context where the quantity is being downplayed. Example: "The charity event raised a modest tally of $500, which will go towards local community projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Promoted in third place with modest tally of 52 points.

The Guardian - Sport

The second highest Portuguese scorer was the Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva and seven of his modest tally of eight goals came from penalties.

The Guardian - Sport

Davenport-Hines's vivid history of Edwardian cruising habits and venues seems out of proportion to Keynes's modest tally of one-night stands.

The Guardian - Books

On the other hand, he compensated for the modest tally of his films by insuring that pretty much every one is a gem.

The New Yorker

Despite its modest tally of total viewers, the Fox dancing contest fared particularly well among adults 18 to 49, winning the 8 p.m. hour in that demographic ahead of ABC's finale of "Ugly Betty," which drew 8.8 million total viewers.

The New York Times

Glenn Maxwell took 3-13 off three overs and debutant leg spinner Cameron Boyce claimed 2-10 ofouroversvers as Pakistan posted a modest tally of 9-96 after choosing to bat first on a Dubai pitch taking turn from the first over of the night.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His modest tallies of three goals and six assists show he is not the finished article, but he is just 22.

The Guardian - Sport

He weighed in with modest tallies of three goals and three assists for Valencia but he has quality in the final third, with his close control enabling him to work his way out of tight spaces and average an impressive 1.7 dribbles per game.

The Guardian - Sport

The Met's more modest tally consists of "Rinaldo," the oratorio "Samson" and a "Giulio Cesare" of its own.

The New York Times - Arts

They were working on an equally modest tally in the State House of Representatives, an unusual state of affairs for a staunchly conservative governor: her most reliable supporters on this issue are on the other side of the aisle, in the Legislature's usually powerless Democratic minority.

The New York Times

Only the remaining $500m, says Mr Breen, consists of "mistakes" in Tyco's accounting between 1997 and 2002 a modest tally, by recent yardsticks.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modest tally of" when you want to downplay the significance or size of a number or quantity. This can be useful in situations where you want to avoid exaggerating an achievement or result.

Common error

Avoid using "modest tally of" when the number is actually substantial or impressive. Using it in such cases can create a disconnect with the reader and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest tally of" functions as a qualifier to a noun, indicating that the quantity being referred to is not large or impressive. It adds a sense of understatement or humility to the statement, which is confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sport

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "modest tally of" is a useful way to describe a small or unimpressive quantity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used to downplay achievements or results, particularly in news, sports, and academic writing. While not overly formal, it maintains a neutral tone and should be avoided when describing large or significant numbers. Consider alternatives like "small number of" or "limited amount of" to fine-tune your meaning. Remember not to use this when the quantity is actually significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

small number of

Replaces "tally" with a more general term and "modest" with "small".

limited amount of

Substitutes "tally" with "amount", emphasizing limitation.

meager quantity of

Replaces "modest" with "meager" and "tally" with "quantity", highlighting scarcity.

slight sum of

Uses "sum" instead of "tally", focusing on the total, and "slight" for "modest".

humble collection of

Replaces "modest" with "humble" and "tally" with "collection", softening the statement.

restricted supply of

Focuses on the limited availability, using "supply" instead of "tally".

reduced inventory of

Implies a deliberate reduction in amount, replacing "tally" with "inventory".

minor accumulation of

Uses "accumulation" to suggest a gradual gathering, and "minor" for "modest".

limited selection of

Implies that it's about limited items of choice instead of only the amount, using "selection" instead of "tally".

small assortment of

Expresses a small variety of items with a connotation of assortment instead of amount, replacing "tally" with "assortment".

FAQs

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

You can use "modest tally of" to describe a small or unassuming quantity. For example, "The team secured a "modest tally of" three wins this season".

What are some alternatives to "modest tally of"?

Alternatives include "small number of", "limited amount of", or "meager quantity of", depending on the context and the degree of understatement you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "modest tally of"?

No, it's best used when the actual quantity is relatively small or unimpressive. Using it for a large or significant number could be misleading or sarcastic.

What's the difference between "modest tally of" and "significant number of"?

"Modest tally of" implies a small or unassuming quantity, while "significant number of" indicates a large or important quantity. The choice depends on the actual amount and the intended meaning.