modestly speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modestly speaking" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone wants to express their opinion or statement in a humble or self-effacing manner. Example: "Modestly speaking, I believe my contributions to the project have been quite significant."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

More modestly speaking, the free topos is to an arbitrary topos like the ring of integers is to an arbitrary ring.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Perhaps surprisingly, this is widely considered to be evidence of success, not failure.Mr Kejriwal is a former civil servant who dresses modestly, speaks softly and takes immense care to promote himself as a humble figure.

The Economist

Of the superstars, Robert Plant does show up, acting as modestly and speaking as wryly as only a man who did immensely well out of the 60s can.

The Guardian - Music

The preface, by WH Auden, who had been on the judging panel, praised poems which were "neatly and modestly dressed, speak quietly but do not mumble, respect their elders but are not cowed by them".

Independent

At the same time, the junk spread has narrowed modestly, which speaks to a growing sense in the market that even if Europe slips into recession, its effect on the domestic recovery will be modest.

The New York Times

Auden, who contributed a slightly creepy foreword: the poems are, he said, "neatly and modestly dressed, speak quietly but do not mumble, respect their elders but are not cowed by them, and do not tell fibs".

The New Yorker

In 1951, W. H. Auden, who selected the twenty-one-year-old Adrienne Cecile Rich's first book, "A Change of World," for the Yale Younger Poets series, wrote that her poems were "neatly and modestly dressed, speak quietly but do not mumble, respect their elders but are not cowed by them".

The New Yorker

As strains of ethereal guitar loops floated up from a rehearsal somewhere in his building, Mr. Cohen contemplated the film's release, still speaking modestly but with great feeling.

The New York Times

This was his gift to me – and he gave it without ostentation, always speaking modestly and carefully, in such a way as to make poetry (in particular) seem an endlessly ingenious thing, but also as natural to the species as breathing.

The Guardian - Books

The studio releases of the fall of 1997 were, comparatively speaking, modestly budgeted; L.A. Confidential cost $35 million, Amistad cost $36 million, The Game, $50 million.

Vice

However, a recent study found that the perceived behaviour of actual leaders was only modestly correlated with speaking up against them [ 43].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "modestly speaking" when you want to soften a statement that might otherwise sound arrogant or presumptuous. It's particularly useful in professional or academic settings where humility is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "modestly speaking" too frequently, as it can become repetitive and undermine the sincerity of your humility. Instead, vary your language with other qualifying phrases or let the content speak for itself.

Linguistic Context

Qualifying adverbial phrase. "Modestly speaking" functions to temper a statement with humility. It's an adverbial phrase because it modifies the verb, indicating the manner in which something is said. According to Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modestly speaking" is a qualifying adverbial phrase used to introduce a statement with humility and avoid sounding boastful. While grammatically correct and appropriate, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is relatively rare in usage. It finds application in news, academic, and formal settings. Alternatives such as "humbly stating" or "in all modesty" can provide similar effects. Remember to use it sparingly to maintain sincerity and avoid repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all modesty

Directly relates to the concept of modesty.

in my humble opinion

Directly expresses the speaker's humility.

humbly stating

Focuses more on the act of stating something in a humble manner.

without boasting

Explicitly avoids any appearance of arrogance.

not to brag

Similar to "without boasting", explicitly avoiding arrogance.

to put it mildly

Emphasizes understatement and can sometimes imply irony.

if I may be so bold

Acknowledges potential audacity in making a statement.

with all due respect

Shows deference, often used before disagreeing.

if I do say so myself

Includes a touch of self-awareness, acknowledging potential immodesty.

I dare say

An old-fashioned expression implying a tentative assertion.

FAQs

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

You can use "modestly speaking" to introduce an opinion or assessment in a humble way, such as, "Modestly speaking, I think our team's performance exceeded expectations."

What's a more modern alternative to "modestly speaking"?

Alternatives include "humbly stating", "in my humble opinion", or simply phrasing your statement with less assertive language.

When is it appropriate to use "modestly speaking"?

It's appropriate when you want to express an opinion or achievement without sounding boastful, especially in situations where appearing humble is important.

Is "modestly speaking" considered formal or informal?

It leans towards formal but can be used in neutral contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey.