modestly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modestly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is humble or not boastful about achievements or qualities. Example: "She modestly downplayed her role in the project's success, even though her contributions were significant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This reported that the weaker mixture was modestly protective.

The Economist

Sharaa is the most senior Sunni Muslim figure in Assad's minority Alawite-led government and he has a reputation for living modestly and not being corrupt.

The Guardian

Tuesday was the turn of the Barclays boss, Antony Jenkins, who modestly chose a story about himself to feature in the show's initial news run.

The Guardian - Business

"I do want housing to be affordable, but nevertheless I also want house prices to be modestly increasing".

The Guardian

Her account of the first Observer commission, which was a portrait of the philosopher Bertrand Russell, is classic Jane: concise, self-deprecating and modestly assured.

The Guardian - Arts

Built by Domino's Pizza founder Tom Monaghan on the edge of a Florida swamp, and now run by George W Bush's former director of faith-based initiatives, the university insists that students "dress modestly" and pretty much refrain from doing anything that could be construed as fun.

The Guardian - Opinion

Jaruzelski and his wife Barbara, a university lecturer whom he married in 1961, always lived modestly.

The Guardian

Exodus: Gods and Kings has performed modestly so far.

The Guardian - Film

Murphy, who had also enjoyed a positive personal score just after his election in December, has now slid back to a modestly negative -2.

The Guardian

His reputation as an incorruptible politician who lives modestly rendered his pledges to tackle government graft believable.

The Guardian - Opinion

But when he asked, 'Who do you want in Downing Street?' (modestly thinking 'You want me, the ruthless, randy Ed!'), I felt my shoulder blades crawl as though their skin was covered by a thousand red ants".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modestly" to convey a sense of humility or understatement, particularly when describing someone's achievements or qualities. For example, "She modestly accepted the award, acknowledging the contributions of her team."

Common error

Avoid using "modestly" when you intend to convey uncertainty or lack of confidence. Modesty is about downplaying one's achievements, not one's abilities. Use words like "hesitantly" or "tentatively" to express doubt.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "modestly" functions primarily to modify verbs or adjectives, indicating the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. As Ludwig AI highlights, it conveys humility or a lack of pretension. Examples include "living modestly" or "modestly assured."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "modestly" is a versatile term used to express humility, restraint, or moderation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, primarily within news and media, but also in formal and business settings. The word is employed to downplay achievements, express respect, or indicate a limited degree. Related terms such as "humbly" and "unassumingly" offer nuanced alternatives, each with slightly different implications. When using "modestly", it's important to ensure it aligns with the intended message of humility rather than conveying uncertainty or weakness. Top sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term, attesting to its widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

humbly

This alternative emphasizes a humble attitude, downplaying one's own importance.

unassumingly

This suggests a lack of pretension or arrogance.

moderately

This focuses on the degree or extent to which something is done.

slightly

Indicates a small degree or amount.

restrainedly

Suggests a controlled or subdued manner.

with reservation

Highlights the act of expressing opinions or feelings without full enthusiasm or certainty.

without arrogance

Explicitly excludes arrogance or excessive pride.

in a self-effacing manner

Emphasizes the act of making oneself appear insignificant or inconspicuous.

with due respect

Shows consideration and politeness in one's actions or words.

without boasting

Highlights the absence of bragging or excessive self-praise.

FAQs

How can I use "modestly" in a sentence?

You can use "modestly" to describe how someone acts or speaks in a humble way. For example, "He "modestly" declined the praise, saying it was a team effort."

What are some alternatives to "modestly"?

Alternatives to "modestly" include "humbly", "unassumingly", or "moderately", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say someone "modestly refused" something?

Yes, saying someone "modestly refused" something is grammatically correct. It suggests that they refused in a polite or humble manner, without arrogance or a show of superiority.

What's the difference between "modestly" and "slightly"?

"Modestly" refers to the manner in which something is done, implying humility or lack of pretension. "Slightly", on the other hand, refers to a small degree or extent. For example, "He "modestly" accepted the award," versus "The temperature increased "slightly"."