on a modest level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on a modest level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is done or achieved to a small or moderate extent. Example: "The project was successful, but it only made an impact on a modest level within the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In 1949, though he had little money, Mr. Claiborne moved to France, where the epiphany of French cuisine, even on a modest level, changed his life forever.

The New York Times

But we do, on a modest level, because opposition parties get so-called Short money (named after Ted Short, a former leader of the Commons) to fund what they do in parliament.

The Guardian

So was a spectacular Han pricket candlestick held up by a standing figure of the third or second century B.C. Equally important for assessing the market mood, deals on a modest level were concluded by the dozen.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The biggest investment in it on the horizon is in China not because China is taking a great bet on nuclear, but because even a modest level of interest in such a huge economy is big by the standards of almost everyone else.

The Economist

Proposals have been made to use the yield of social security contributions, supplemented by taxes, to provide everyone with a minimum income on which they could live at a modest level supplemented by earnings if they wished to take paid work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This is perhaps one reason why Facebook hasn't taken greater hold here, although I've heard from several people that its translations have been rather poor (Twitter, on the other hand, has experienced a modest level of success already).

TechCrunch

The relatively high log2 intensity value of 6.0 was chosen as the threshold to focus on the genes with at least a modest level of expression.

BMC Genomics

Previous work studying the role of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway has shown a modest level of detail on the sterol arms of the pathway [5 7] in innate immunity.

Biochemical Pharmacology

Mr. Baker said he expected a "modest level of passenger defection from JetBlue" on routes where it will compete with Song.

The New York Times

And sometimes, on a more modest level, you get a bunch of people goofing around and bringing a new kind of comedy to network television.

The New Yorker

"But given the current situation," he said, "the Guggenheim project has to be rethought, perhaps on a more modest level, and certainly in the context of the city's master plan for the development of Lower Manhattan".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "on a modest level", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being limited or moderated. For example, specify whether you are referring to investment, impact, or involvement.

Common error

Avoid using "on a modest level" when a more precise quantifier would provide greater clarity. Instead of saying "the funding was on a modest level", specify the actual amount or percentage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a modest level" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree or extent to which an action or state is carried out. It describes that something is happening in a limited or moderate way. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a modest level" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that indicates something is done or exists to a limited or moderate extent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While the phrase appears infrequently, it is versatile enough for use across various fields, primarily appearing in news and media and scientific writing. For clarity, ensure the context specifies what is being limited. Alternative phrases, such as "to a limited extent", may offer more precision depending on the writing context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to a limited extent

Focuses on the degree of limitation, omitting the specific nuance of "modest".

on a small scale

Emphasizes the size or scope of the operation or impact, rather than the degree.

in a limited capacity

Highlights the constraints or boundaries within which something operates.

to a moderate degree

Replaces "modest" with "moderate", indicating a slightly higher level of intensity.

on a reduced scale

Highlights that something has been scaled down, implying it was once larger.

within reasonable bounds

Focuses on the idea of maintaining control or moderation.

in a controlled manner

Emphasizes the deliberate and cautious nature of the action.

to a certain limit

Highlights that activity is bounded and does not cross certain limits.

in a tempered fashion

Emphasizes the act of controlling activity by employing a tempering effect.

with measured steps

Highlights that something is approached cautiously and with care.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "on a modest level" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "to a limited extent" or "within reasonable bounds". These alternatives convey a sense of limitation without being overly casual.

What's the difference between "on a modest level" and "on a small scale"?

"On a modest level" typically refers to the degree or intensity of something, whereas "on a small scale" refers to the size or scope. For example, you might say "the project had an impact on a modest level", meaning the impact wasn't huge, or "the project was implemented on a small scale", meaning it wasn't a large project.

Is it correct to say "at a modest level" instead of "on a modest level"?

While "at a modest level" isn't incorrect, "on a modest level" is generally more common and idiomatic. Using "on" emphasizes the level as a plane or degree of activity or intensity.

What are some synonyms for "modest" when used in the phrase "on a modest level"?

Synonyms that could replace "modest" include "limited", "moderate", "small", or "reasonable", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. For example, you could say "on a limited level" or "on a moderate level".