Marginally deficient

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Marginally deficient" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is slightly lacking or inadequate in quality, quantity, or performance. Example: "The report was marginally deficient in data analysis, which affected the overall conclusions drawn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

All heifers were marginally deficient at the onset of the experiment (liver Cu of 60 mg/kg) and did not differ between groups.

Journal of Dairy Science

Both of these vitamins may be marginally deficient in our participants.

British Journal of Cancer

The RBD is a well-studied rodent diet high in carbohydrates and marginally deficient in protein, fat, and minerals.

BMC Gastroenterology

Deficient or marginally deficient animals according to recommended concentrations of >0.10 μg Se/g blood (National Veterinary Institute, Norway) was reflected in 71.2% of the herd samples.

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Only two pens with ewes had marginally deficient whole blood selenium concentrations before the supplemental period started (figure 1, pen 1 and 2).

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

At baseline, mean plasma ascorbate concentrations of study participants were marginally deficient (24), and their skeletal muscle tissue ascorbate concentrations were similarly low, with a ∼3.5-fold uptake of ascorbate by muscle tissue observed after intervention.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The N concentrations from 2008 indicated that plants were marginally N deficient.

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

This is particularly so in flocks raised in south-eastern Sweden, where soils are marginally copper deficient [ 15].

Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica

Studies on cytokines in chronic HD patients point to another possible mechanism for adverse effects on morbidity and mortality of EPO administration in iron deficient or marginally iron sufficient patients.

BMC Nephrology

When ESAs are administered to patients deficient or marginally sufficient in iron, the demands for iron for Hb production are likely to further deplete iron available for other essential metabolic processes The rise in plasma TNF-α and decrease in IL-4 levels may also be important as noted above.

BMC Nephrology

We observed Dectin1-dependent cell killing activity against 3LL and YAC-1 cells, whereas the killing activity of WT splenocytes against SL4 cells was significantly weaker as compared to that for 3LL or YAC-1 cells and was reduced only marginally in Dectin-1-deficient splenocytes.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In research papers, use "marginally deficient" to accurately portray data that falls slightly below established thresholds, avoiding exaggeration or overstatement of the deficiency.

Common error

Avoid assuming that because something is "marginally deficient" it's necessarily unimportant. Even slight deficiencies can have cumulative effects or indicate underlying issues that warrant investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginally deficient" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. Ludwig AI shows it is often used to qualify nouns, indicating that something falls slightly short of the required or expected level. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific and medical contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginally deficient" is a descriptive adjective phrase primarily used in formal and scientific contexts to indicate a slight lack or inadequacy. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in medical diagnoses, scientific reports and nutritional assessments, aiming to convey a precise assessment of a condition. While not extremely common, its use is grammatically correct and suitable for professional and technical communication. Alternatives include "slightly insufficient" and "somewhat inadequate".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly insufficient

Indicates a minor degree of inadequacy; focuses on the insufficiency aspect.

Somewhat inadequate

Emphasizes the inadequacy, suggesting it's present but not severe.

Mildly lacking

Highlights the lack of something but to a small extent.

Barely adequate

Stresses the idea of just meeting the minimum requirement, hinting at potential deficiency.

Minimally sufficient

Similar to 'barely adequate', but uses 'sufficient' instead of 'adequate'.

Slightly below par

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of being a little less than expected.

Somewhat substandard

Focuses on the quality being a little below the standard.

Hardly satisfactory

Emphasizes the unsatisfactory nature, though not to a great extent.

Just meeting requirements

Suggests that the requirements are barely fulfilled, implying potential deficiency.

On the lower end of acceptable

Indicates that the value or quality is at the bottom of the acceptable range, bordering on deficiency.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginally deficient" to describe something that is slightly lacking or inadequate. For example: "The patient's vitamin D levels were "marginally deficient", requiring a small dietary adjustment."

What's the difference between "marginally deficient" and "severely deficient"?

"Marginally deficient" indicates a slight lack or inadequacy, while "severely deficient" implies a significant and potentially dangerous lack. The distinction lies in the degree of deficiency and its potential consequences.

Are there synonyms for "marginally deficient" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "slightly insufficient", "somewhat inadequate", or "mildly lacking" depending on the context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the term "marginally deficient"?

The term "marginally deficient" is appropriately used in contexts where a slight inadequacy needs to be communicated, such as in scientific reports, medical diagnoses, or nutritional assessments. It is often used when the value is falling slightly under the expected minimum.