modest to no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest to no" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to express a range of minimal to nonexistent amounts, but it is not a commonly used or recognized expression. Example: "The project received modest to no funding, which hindered its progress."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Surprisingly, the results of adjuvant breast cancer trials have shown either modest to no benefit or even harm.

Journal of Bone Oncology

Most of the clinically tried tissue-engineering therapies thus far have yielded modest to no benefits and only in small, distinct patient populations, if not in purely anecdotal experience.

Principles of Tissue Engineering

Does investing in a startup with a social mission equal modest to no financial returns?

Forbes

Acute removal of either C/EBPα or C/EBPβ alone in adult mouse skin revealed modest to no discernable changes in epidermis or sebaceous glands.

Plosone

reported modest to no reduction in NOx concentrations in their product description.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Similarly the two studies that assessed elements of posture (for example thigh angles) also found modest to no differences with their chair interventions [ 18, 20].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Previous intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) studies have demonstrated modest-to-no benefit and did not include a nationwide sample of hospitals representative of broad thyroidectomy practices.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Rockwell was no mere illustrator, though — modest to a fault, he staked no larger claim.

The New Yorker

Mitchell is modest to a fault - so modest that no journalist has ever approached him for anything more than a passing comment before.

The Guardian - Music

"The president has no interest in doing anything, even modest, to address our looming debt crisis".

Huffington Post

Not everyone agreed with the list - no surprise there - and some were too modest to be on it.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and correctness, replace the phrase "modest to no" with established alternatives like "little to none" or "minimal to none".

Common error

Avoid using "modest to no" in formal writing. This construction is not a standard idiomatic expression and can make your writing sound unnatural or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest to no" functions as a quantifier, attempting to express a range from a small quantity or degree to complete absence. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

32%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "modest to no" aims to convey a range from slight to nonexistent, it isn't grammatically sound in standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect in written English. Therefore, it is advised to opt for alternatives such as "little to none" or "minimal to none" for enhanced clarity and correctness. Predominantly used in scientific and news contexts, its occurrence is relatively uncommon. To avoid awkward phrasing, selecting established alternatives is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal to none

Emphasizes the lower end of the spectrum, suggesting something barely exists.

little to none

A more common and grammatically sound alternative, indicating a small amount or nothing at all.

slight to nonexistent

Highlights the contrast between a small presence and complete absence.

negligible to zero

Uses more formal language to convey insignificance or absence.

insignificant to absent

Similar to 'negligible to zero', stressing the lack of importance or presence.

scant to absent

Indicates a meager amount transitioning to a complete lack.

almost none

Focuses on the near absence of something.

virtually no

Emphasizes the practical absence, even if something technically exists.

hardly any

Suggests a small quantity that is barely perceptible.

next to nothing

An informal expression meaning very little or almost nothing.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "modest to no"?

Consider using alternatives like "little to none", "minimal to none", or "insignificant to absent" depending on the context.

Is "modest to no" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "modest to no" is not considered standard English. It's better to opt for clearer and more accepted phrases.

In what contexts might I encounter "modest to no"?

You might find "modest to no" in informal contexts or preliminary drafts, but it's generally revised in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase "modest to no" is not correct in standard written English.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "modest to no"?

Choose alternatives that precisely reflect the intended meaning. For instance, if you mean 'almost nothing', use "almost nothing". If you want to stress the absence, use phrases like "virtually no".