Marginally bigger

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Marginally bigger" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly larger in size or amount compared to something else. Example: "The new model is marginally bigger than the previous version, offering more space for storage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Unfortunately, after her triumph in Imitation of Life, Moore's film and television roles were only marginally bigger and better.

The Guardian - Film

Nonetheless, it's only marginally bigger than a traditional ICD, largely thanks to improvements in battery and capacitor technologies.

MIT Technology Review

2005's Brokeback Mountain was, in a sense, Gyllenhaal's Chaplin though the film's myriad plaudits were mostly directed to Ledger, whose role was marginally bigger and certainly showier.

Independent

But then in mid-June, the moving van arrived, and the Evanses left behind their own personal vacation land and squeezed uncomfortably into a 1,200-square-foot 1,200-square-foot 1,200-square-foot marentally bigger home.

The New York Times

Only a marginally bigger increase in part-time employment produced a net gain of 700 jobs, ending a string of increases averaging 38,000 new jobs a month since August.

The New York Times

Sandiva and Toormore did not shorten for the Guineas after scoring at the recent Craven meeting and Western Hymn became the latest example of the phenomenon when his odds for the Derby became marginally bigger after his victory in the Classic Trial here on Friday.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Custom is marginally the biggest revenue generator but we pay as much attention to open enrollment," said Mr. Stanford of IMD.

The New York Times

Google already has big problems in China, and Android getting left behind entirely (rather than marginally) by its biggest Chinese competitor would only make things worse.

TechCrunch

Rock-bottom rates for savers will rise marginally, and no big jump is expected in mortgage rates, pegged to 10-year Treasury bonds.

Independent

Binyamin Netanyahu's campaign for re-election for a fourth term as Israel's prime minister appears to be stumbling, with recent polls suggesting he is marginally behind his biggest challenger, Isaac Herzog.

The Guardian

Perhaps because he largely turned his back on the US, and because his biggest successes marginally preceded the era of golf on television, his achievements have sometimes been underplayed.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marginally bigger", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "marginally bigger" when the size difference is actually significant. Using it inappropriately can mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginally bigger" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun by indicating that it is slightly larger than something else. Ludwig examples show it describing screen sizes, roles in films, or tumor sizes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginally bigger" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a slight increase in size. As Ludwig examples show, it appears most commonly in news and scientific contexts and is considered to be of neutral formality. While it is generally accepted, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding overstatements of size differences. Alternative phrases include "slightly larger" or "a bit bigger", depending on the degree of difference. The phrase is valuable for adding precision when making comparisons, emphasizing that the increase is minor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly larger

Emphasizes a small degree of difference in size.

Somewhat greater

Highlights a minor increase in quantity or amount.

A bit bigger

Uses more informal language to express a small size difference.

Barely larger

Implies that the difference in size is minimal and almost negligible.

Minutely larger

Indicates an extremely small difference in size, close to being unnoticeable.

Inches above

More figurative, and specifies how the size difference manifests.

Hair's breadth bigger

Figurative to indicate very small differences.

Modestly bigger

Highlights an increase in size, but it's not as impactful as a completely different version.

A shade bigger

Uses figurative language to suggest the size difference is almost unnoticeable.

Slightly more expansive

Highlights that the expansion is only negligibly bigger.

FAQs

How can I use "marginally bigger" in a sentence?

You can use "marginally bigger" to describe something that is slightly larger than another object. For example, "The new phone has a screen that is "marginally bigger" than the previous model".

What are some alternatives to "marginally bigger"?

Some alternatives include "slightly larger", "a bit bigger", or "somewhat greater", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a marginally bigger" or "marginally bigger"?

"Marginally bigger" is the correct and more common usage. Including "a" before "marginally" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is the difference between "slightly bigger" and "marginally bigger"?

While both phrases indicate a small difference in size, "marginally bigger" implies an even smaller difference than "slightly bigger". The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to emphasize.