modicum of progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "modicum of progress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or limited amount of advancement or improvement in a situation or task. Example: "After several weeks of hard work, we finally made a modicum of progress on the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The watchword for the conference is balance: nothing flashy, but at least a modicum of progress on every issue.

The Economist

That represents a modicum of progress even though the regular season still has more than three months left.

The New York Times - Sports

Exclusive United States stewardship of the peace process was acceptable when at least a modicum of progress was being achieved.

The New York Times

A modicum of progress has come recently but in curious, minor forms.

Huffington Post

And long before there was that modicum of progress at CPAC with respect to gay rights issues, it was Andrew Breitbart, the website's founder, who was demanding it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Two new studies make the case that do-or-die exams -- which decide whether students graduate, teachers are dismissed or schools are shut in more than half the states in the nation -- have brought about at least a modicum of academic progress, especially for minority students who may get scant attention otherwise.

The New York Times

Lamentably, it seems Bernie's version of political revolution is merely a plan to mobilize voters in the hopes of returning to a time when the US had a social compact among business, government, and labor, in a way that allowed some modicum of reciprocal progress.

Huffington Post

Atkins banned even fruit juices, and permitted only a modicum of vegetables, although the latter were negotiable as the diet progressed.

The New York Times - Magazine

Establishing that modicum of trust took years.

The New York Times

A modicum of people like it.

The Guardian - Music

There is a modicum of control.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "modicum of progress", ensure the context clearly indicates that the advancement is indeed limited or small. This helps manage expectations and provides an accurate depiction of the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "modicum of progress" when the advancement is substantial or significant. Using it in such contexts can downplay the actual achievement and mislead the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "modicum of progress" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or following a preposition. It describes a state of advancement, but emphasizes its limited quantity or degree. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "modicum of progress" is a grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a small amount of advancement. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. Alternatives include "slight advancement" and "limited headway". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the limited nature of the progress to avoid misleading the audience. While it may seem similar to "iota of progress", "modicum" is relatively more considerable. Keep in mind that, while grammatically sound, its usage should be checked to ensure consistency with any project-specific grammar guidelines.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight advancement

Replaces "modicum" with "slight" and "progress" with "advancement", keeping the core meaning intact.

minor advancement

Replaces "modicum" with "minor", highlighting the small scale of the advancement.

limited headway

Substitutes "modicum" with "limited" and "progress" with "headway", emphasizing the restricted nature of the advancement.

small degree of improvement

Expands the phrase to explicitly state "small degree", offering a more descriptive alternative.

marginal gain

Uses "marginal gain" to suggest a minimal increase or benefit achieved.

incremental development

Emphasizes the step-by-step nature of the progress, suggesting slow but steady advancement.

token improvement

Uses "token" to imply that the improvement is symbolic or minimal in impact.

glimmer of advancement

Employs "glimmer" to suggest a faint or initial sign of progress.

hint of progress

Suggests only a subtle or indirect sign that progress is being made.

iota of progress

Uses "iota" to indicate an extremely small amount of progress.

FAQs

How can I use "modicum of progress" in a sentence?

You can use "modicum of progress" to describe a small amount of advancement, such as, "Despite the challenges, we've made a "modicum of progress" on the project".

What can I say instead of "modicum of progress"?

You can use alternatives like "slight advancement", "limited headway", or "small degree of improvement" depending on the context.

Is "modicum of progress" formal or informal?

"Modicum of progress" is considered a relatively formal phrase, suitable for professional, news, and academic contexts. More informal options might include "a little progress".

What does "modicum" actually mean in the phrase "modicum of progress"?

In the phrase "modicum of progress", "modicum" means a small or moderate amount. Therefore, the whole phrase refers to a limited or small amount of advancement.