The invention provides a method of polishing a substrate, which method comprises the steps of (i) providing a polishing composition, (ii) providing a substrate comprising at least one metal layer, and (iii) abrading at least a portion of the metal layer with the polishing composition to polish the substrate. The polishing composition comprises an abrasive and a liquid carrier, wherein the abrasive comprises metal oxide particles having a surface with a silane compound adhered to a portion thereof and a polymer adhered to the silane compound and wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of water-soluble polymers and water-emulsifiable polymers. The invention also provides a polishing composition as described above, wherein the total amount of abrasive particles present in the polishing composition is no greater than about 20% by weight of the polishing composition, and the metal oxide particles do not comprise zirconia.