modestly decline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modestly decline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when politely refusing an offer or invitation without sounding overly harsh or dismissive. Example: "I appreciate the offer, but I must modestly decline due to prior commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Revenue for broadcasters and airlines would modestly decline.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

By many important measures, the business is essentially flat or modestly declining.

The New York Times - Tech

Mecom said it benefitted from being able to increase cover and subscription prices to "offset modestly declining volumes [of sales]".

The Guardian

In recent months, the two indexes have diverged, with the adjusted numbers showing the market was modestly improving and the unadjusted numbers showing it was modestly declining.

The New York Times

Mr. Parsons said he stood by the company's projections for a single-digit percentage increase in revenue in the third quarter and flat or modestly declining cash flow.

The New York Times

While racial segregation has modestly declined in recent decades, the latest data reveal that approximately 60 percent of blacks or whites in metropolitan areas across the United States would have to relocate to achieve racial integration.

The New York Times

Dr. Eloundou-Enyegue worries that Africa's modestly declining birthrates reflect relatively rich, educated people reducing to invest in raising "quality" children, while poor people continue to have many offspring, strengthening divisions between haves and have-nots.

The New York Times

She wonders why he was so much more fortunate, modestly declining to mention her own role and thereby deflecting attention from the movie's curious moral, which is that the best hope for a poor black child in America is to have rich white parents.

The New York Times

Rhines: The largest companies in the semiconductor industry have only had modestly declining market share almost throughout the history of the industry.

Forbes

It is apparent on inspection of Fig. 2 that the features of Φ t,192) that correlate with LOD are conserved at a range of window sizes (n), although this correlation modestly declines in magnitude as n deviates from 192 months.

Plosone

Fortunately, the mortality and morbidity have modestly declined and CRC has become a preventable disease if pre-neoplastic lesions can be detected with modern screening methods (Lieberman, 2009).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modestly decline" when you want to convey a slight decrease or a polite refusal without being overly forceful.

Common error

Avoid using "modestly decline" in very informal settings, as it can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler terms like "slightly decrease" or "politely refuse" if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modestly decline" functions as a verb phrase, where "modestly" modifies the verb "decline". Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, indicating that it adheres to standard English grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "modestly decline" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating a slight decrease or a polite refusal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides various examples showcasing its application across diverse contexts. While primarily found in news and scientific sources, its use is not strictly limited to these areas. When aiming for a less formal tone, consider alternative phrases like "slightly decrease" or "politely refuse". Remember to use "modestly decline" appropriately, keeping in mind its inherent level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly decrease

Focuses on the small degree of reduction.

gently decrease

Emphasizes the gradual nature of the decline.

marginally diminish

Highlights the minor extent of the reduction.

politely refuse

Shifts the focus to a courteous rejection.

respectfully deny

Implies deference in the act of refusal.

decrease slightly

Inverts the word order for a different emphasis.

fall slightly

Uses a different verb to indicate a small drop.

dip marginally

Employs a less common verb to describe a minor reduction.

wane gradually

Suggests a slow and subtle decrease.

subtly decrease

Emphasizes the subtlety of the reduction.

FAQs

How can I use "modestly decline" in a sentence?

You can use "modestly decline" to describe a small decrease (e.g., "Profits "modestly decline" this quarter") or a polite refusal (e.g., "I must "modestly decline" your invitation due to prior commitments").

What's a more informal way to say "modestly decline"?

For a more informal tone, consider using alternatives like "slightly decrease" or "politely refuse", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "modestly decline"?

It's appropriate to use "modestly decline" in formal or professional contexts when you want to indicate a small reduction or a polite rejection without being overly direct or forceful.

Is "modestly decline" the same as "slightly decline"?

While similar, "modestly decline" often implies a more conscious or intentional action, particularly when used to describe a refusal. "Slightly decline" is more neutral and focuses on the degree of decrease.