Consider this sentence:
- I only have a modicum of knowledge about economics.
This means that I only have a little knowledege. So “modicum” (= un mínimo de/una pizca/una cantidad minima) here means that I am a layman (lego) in the context of economics: I am not an expert.
Some examples for you to contemplate:
- Mr. Putin, the Russian dictator, does not have a modicum of humanity (…no tiene una pizca de humanidad).
- I only have a modicum of respect for Mr. Biden (…un poco de respeto por…).
- A modicum of consensus about taxes in Spain is essential (es esencial tener un consenso mínimo sobre los impuestos en España).
- Am I making a modicum of sense?
Should you be preparing yourself for the Cambridge First, Proficiency or Advanced exams, you could say – in the speaking part, when starting to speak about a topic:
- “I only have a modicum of knowledge about this topic. In fact, I am a layman, so I am going to speculate”.
That would be a good introduction to the topic and you would get points for it.
So many mortals have a modicum of knowledge about many things: we cannot be experts in everything. Such is life!
