Marginal difference in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Marginal difference in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing small or insignificant variations in a particular context, such as statistics, research findings, or comparisons. Example: "The study revealed a marginal difference in the test scores between the two groups, indicating that the new teaching method had a slight impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

There may be a marginal difference in size compared to those here before, but "so what?

The Guardian - Travel

Even squeezing the subsidies makes only a marginal difference in the overall cost.

The Washington Post

Microhardness measurements show a marginal difference in the hardness between ternary and quaternary deposits.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A win in Louisiana, however, would make only a fairly marginal difference in the delegate count.

The New York Times

For chloride transport, there is only marginal difference in the diffusivity of chloride ions between in HAC and OPC concrete.

Construction and Building Materials

Furthermore, MD simulation showed a stable parameters for the complexes of both MARK4-F1 and MARK4-F2 to PKR-inhibitor with marginal difference in their binding affinities.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

This is a measure of the likelihood that a state will make the marginal difference in the election, giving a candidate the decisive 270th electoral vote.

The New York Times

The oil industry already has access to fourth-fifths of the nation's recoverable offshore resources, mostly off Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico, and drilling the forbidden areas — protected by a longstanding Congressional moratorium that President Bush is trying to lift — would make only a marginal difference in prices 15 years down the road.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We focused on four cases that had a significantly different Bayes factor, but marginal differences in prediction accuracy.

Brain Informatics

RNV loaded with different hydrophilic reagents shows marginal differences in size and PDI.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Only marginal differences in SAR values of OD15 MNP with different hydrodynamic diameters and coated with PEG of different molecular weight (PEG5000: 210 nm, 5 kDa; PEG20000: 148 nm, 20 kDa) after PVA immobilization were observed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marginal difference in", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal difference in" when the difference is actually substantial. This can mislead the reader and weaken your argument. Use stronger terms like "significant difference" if the impact is considerable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal difference in" functions as a descriptor, typically used to qualify a noun and indicate that the difference being discussed is small or insignificant. It adds a nuance of scale to the comparison, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginal difference in" is a descriptor used to indicate a small or insignificant variation between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in science and news media. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared to avoid ambiguity. Remember that overstating the importance of the difference can weaken your argument. Alternatives like "slight variation in" or "minimal difference in" can also be employed to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slight variation in

Focuses on the small degree of change rather than the difference specifically.

Minimal difference in

Emphasizes the insignificance of the difference.

Negligible variation in

Highlights that the variation is so small it can be ignored.

Small distinction in

Points to a subtle difference that might not be immediately apparent.

Insignificant difference in

Directly states that the difference is not important or impactful.

Minor alteration in

Suggests a small change or modification.

Limited disparity in

Indicates that the extent of the difference is restricted.

Trivial difference in

Highlights that the difference is unimportant and easily overlooked.

Barely perceptible difference in

Emphasizes that the difference is hard to notice.

Almost indistinguishable difference in

Indicates that the difference is so small it's nearly impossible to tell apart.

FAQs

How can I use "marginal difference in" in a sentence?

You can use "marginal difference in" to describe a slight or insignificant variation between two or more things. For example, "There was a marginal difference in test scores between the two groups".

What's an alternative to "marginal difference in"?

Alternatives include "slight variation in", "minimal difference in", or "insignificant difference in", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "marginal difference in" or "significant difference in"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference. Use "marginal difference in" when the variation is small or unimportant. Use "significant difference in" when the variation is large and impactful.

What does "marginal difference in" imply about the comparison?

It implies that the items being compared are mostly similar, with only a small and often negligible distinction between them. It suggests the changes are not important.