Marginally late

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Marginally late" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is slightly behind schedule or not on time. Example: "The train arrived marginally late, causing a brief delay for the passengers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

17 min: Strba clips Gattuso's toe with a marginally late tackle.

The Guardian - Sport

Any games that England play after the group stages will start at 9pm BST, which, though marginally late for the schoolboy audience, falls neatly in the middle of peak time here.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

A slightly harsh decision – he was booked for dissent, then a marginally late tackle on Claus Lundekvam – but United could have had few complains, as Eric Cantona really should have walked for an all-out kick-and-punch assault on the mountainous Ulrich van Gobbel (followed by triple pike with salchow dive to floor).

The Guardian - Sport

The Aussie prep notes that had been supposedly accidentally leaked in photos from Friday's training run had referred to rattling the All Blacks' No.8 Kieran Read but it was mainly Carter on the end of a barrage of marginally late hits.

Independent

Both he and right-back Gillet left the ground with studs showing as they lunged for a loose ball in midfield, but the Welshman was marginally late and caught the Belgian's ankle.

BBC

The home team were reduced to 10 men in the 19th minute when captain Steven Thompson was shown a straight red card by referee Alan Muir for a marginally late challenge on Motherwell's Mark O'Brien.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Gap International also fell after increasing marginally last year.

The New York Times

Its share of new loans to businesses increased marginally last year, to 6%.

The Economist

Spreads on Greek bonds narrowed marginally this week as the markets turned their attention to Portugal and Spain.

The Economist

The gender gap in physics has closed marginally this year, as the rate of increase is faster for girls than boys.

The Guardian

The chance of having an income below MIS rose only marginally last year, and less than in previous years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginally late" when you want to indicate a slight delay that is not significantly impactful. For example, "The delivery was marginally late, but it didn't affect the project timeline."

Common error

Avoid using "marginally late" when the delay is substantial or has significant consequences. Using it in such situations can downplay the impact and mislead the reader. For instance, if a critical shipment is delayed by several days, it's more appropriate to say "significantly delayed" rather than "marginally late".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginally late" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of being slightly behind schedule. Examples in Ludwig illustrate this usage, often describing events or actions that are only a little delayed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginally late" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes something being slightly delayed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in written English and appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. When using "marginally late", ensure the degree of delay is minimal to avoid misleading the reader. Alternatives such as "slightly delayed" or "a bit tardy" can also be used. While not an extremely common phrase, "marginally late" serves as a useful way to soften the impact of a delay.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Slightly delayed

Refers to a small amount of lateness or postponement.

A bit tardy

Indicates a minor degree of lateness, often in a somewhat formal context.

Somewhat behind schedule

Emphasizes that something is not precisely on time, but not significantly delayed.

Just a little late

A more casual way of expressing a small delay.

Barely on time

Suggests being almost late, arriving at the last possible moment.

Nearly punctual

Highlights being very close to being on time, with a slight deviation.

Almost on schedule

Implies a situation that is nearly aligned with the intended timetable.

Inching behind

Illustrates a gradual process of falling slightly behind.

Verging on late

Conveys the idea of being on the cusp of lateness.

Pushing the deadline

Indicates approaching the latest acceptable time.

FAQs

What does "marginally late" mean?

"Marginally late" means slightly or just barely late. It suggests a small degree of tardiness or delay.

What can I say instead of "marginally late"?

You can use alternatives like "slightly delayed", "a bit tardy", or "somewhat behind schedule" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "marginally late" in formal writing?

Yes, "marginally late" is suitable for formal writing, but it is important to ensure that the context justifies the use of the word "marginally". If the delay is significant, other words may be more appropriate.

How does "marginally late" differ from "late"?

"Marginally late" indicates a slight degree of lateness, whereas "late" is a more general term that doesn't specify the extent of the delay. "Marginally late" implies the delay is small and perhaps inconsequential.