modest to significant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modest to significant" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a range or scale of something, indicating a progression from a small or minor level to a larger or more important level. Example: "The project's impact on the community ranged from modest to significant, depending on the specific initiatives implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And sellers can expect a modest to significant increase in revenue from new customers that they can serve outside the U.S.

TechCrunch

Modest to significant increases in SDII were observed for almost all regions while Prcp1 was stable during the last two decades.

Journal of Hydrology

Screening of landraces from coastal and saline inland regions identified a number of accessions showing modest to significant salinity tolerance that are distinct from traditionally used donors such as Pokkali and Nona Bokra.

BMC Plant Biology

Campaigns that focused on parents, using videotaped presentations in pediatric waiting rooms, showed modest to significant improvement in parental knowledge and attitudes about appropriate antimicrobial agent use (31, 32), but in-service reviews of judicious antimicrobial agent use guidelines for clinicians had no effect on antimicrobial agent prescribing rates (32).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The modest to moderate significant linear correlations between the two types of proficiency measures in our study suggests that our subjects had a reasonable self-perception of their ability to use the English language.

BMC Medical Education

There were modest to moderate significant linear correlations between the average English test score at enrollment and the self-reported level of English proficiency, both in reading (r = 0.548; p < 0.001), writing (r = 0.392; p = 0.009) and total self-ratings (r = 0.351, p =0.019).

BMC Medical Education

The inhibitory effect of KN62 ranged from modest (ATF3) to significant, whereas that of SB203580 ranged from one that was near quantitative (DUSP2, RGS1, ZFP36) to a marked repression to below basal levels (ATF3, AXUD1, CD274, DDIT3).

BMC Systems Biology

The impact of these initiatives remains at best, modest to low, in effecting a significant increase in daily consumption on a sustained basis.

Appetite

They also suggest that the goal of eliminating nuclear weapons is a distraction from, rather than an impetus to, more modest but significant steps to reduce nuclear threats.

The New York Times

When I arrived in Katine, a year after the project began, I expected to see modest, but significant improvements to people's lives.

The Guardian

Previously, we determined that simultaneous treatment with IL-1β and LG268 leads to modest but significant inhibition of MMP-1 and MMP-13, and a 12- to 24-hour pretreatment is necessary for maximum inhibition of MMP levels in these cells by the RXR ligand, LG268 [ 21].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of an intervention or change, use "modest to significant" to convey a range of potential outcomes, acknowledging both smaller and larger effects. This avoids overstating the certainty of results.

Common error

Avoid using "modest to significant" when you only expect a small or minor effect. This phrase indicates a possibility of a substantial impact, so ensure the context supports that potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modest to significant" functions as a descriptive modifier, specifying a range of potential impact or change. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and usable. It's commonly used to qualify nouns, indicating variability in the degree or extent of something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modest to significant" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a spectrum of potential impacts, ranging from minimal to substantial. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriateness. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it conveys uncertainty about the precise magnitude of an effect. When writing, use it when you want to acknowledge the possibility of both small and large outcomes, but avoid it when only a minor impact is expected. Alternatives like "minor to considerable" or "small to substantial" can be used for variety, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal to considerable

Substitutes "modest" with "minimal" and "significant" with "considerable", emphasizing the degree of something being small or large.

minor to considerable

Replaces "modest" with "minor" and "significant" with "considerable", altering the tone while retaining the spectrum of impact.

small to substantial

Substitutes "modest" with "small" and "significant" with "substantial", offering a slightly different emphasis on the degree of change.

moderate to major

Replaces "modest" with "moderate" and "significant" with "major", indicating a scale from medium to large impact.

limited to extensive

Changes "modest" to "limited" and "significant" to "extensive", focusing on the scope or reach of something.

slight to marked

Replaces "modest" with "slight" and "significant" with "marked", highlighting the degree of difference or change.

marginal to important

Substitutes "modest" with "marginal" and "significant" with "important", emphasizing the level of importance or relevance.

inconsequential to consequential

Replaces "modest" with "inconsequential" and "significant" with "consequential", emphasizing whether something has an effect.

negligible to noteworthy

Changes "modest" to "negligible" and "significant" to "noteworthy", focusing on the visibility or attention something deserves.

weak to strong

Substitutes "modest" with "weak" and "significant" with "strong", focusing on the intensity or power of something.

FAQs

How can I use "modest to significant" in a sentence?

Use "modest to significant" to describe a range of possible effects or changes. For example: "The changes in air quality ranged from "modest to significant" depending on the implemented strategies."

What are some alternatives to "modest to significant"?

Alternatives include "minor to considerable", "small to substantial", or "limited to extensive", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

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

Yes, "modest to significant" is appropriate for formal writing, including academic and professional contexts. It clearly conveys a range of potential impact in a concise and professional manner.

What does "modest to significant" imply about the expected outcome?

It implies that the outcome could be anywhere on a spectrum from slightly noticeable (modest) to considerably impactful (significant), suggesting uncertainty about the exact magnitude of the effect.