a marginal advantage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal advantage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a slight or minor benefit in a particular situation or context. Example: "The new marketing strategy provided the company with a marginal advantage over its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Males have only a marginal advantage in mean levels of g (less than 7% of a standard deviation) from the ASVAB and AFQT, but substantially greater variance.

Intelligence

The National Football League's oldest player, 44-year-old Steve DeBerg, had a marginal advantage over the Rams' backup, 36-year-old Steve Bono, in the second half of the Falcons' 21-10 victoryesterdayayesterday

The New York Times - Sports

His six first-half saves, in a first half-hour where United took 65 per cent of possession, have left Ferguson with only a marginal advantage at the Emirates.

Independent

It can be a marginal advantage, but again thinking about a positive approach, there's the potential to bring Christian Pulisic off the bench to stretch Argentina, especially in a tight game where the favorites start to worry about the clock and a possible penalty shoot-out.

The Guardian - Sport

"Sussex may be the County Championship leaders, but Somerset have a marginal advantage at the halfway stage of this game".

BBC

Surgical treatment remains the best curative option and appears to prolong life, with chemotherapy adding a marginal advantage.

Surgical Case Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In the tortured electoral mathematics of Israel's coalition-building, Netanyahu still has a theoretical marginal advantage with six potential parties he can negotiate with to form a government, against Herzog's five.

The Guardian

Contrary to expectations, this first study shows only a very marginal advantage for long-distance dispersal of species bearing multiple syndromes.

AoB PLANTS

Is all this money for a marginal 20% advantage really money well spent?

The Guardian

A slight rise in SAT scores may give an elite institution a marginal competitive advantage over its rivals, but it has little social value.

The Washington Post

In addition, these Singaporean women with local cancer showed a marginal survival advantage over the Swedish cohort in the later period.

Breast Cancer Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal advantage", ensure the context clearly establishes what the advantage is marginal to. Specificity strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal advantage" when the benefit is significant. This phrase downplays the importance, potentially misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal advantage" functions as a noun phrase, where "marginal" modifies the noun "advantage". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal advantage" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small or slight benefit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various domains, including science, news, and business. While its impact should not be overstated, understanding its appropriate usage is crucial for clear and accurate communication. Related phrases like "a slight benefit" or "a minor edge" can be used as alternatives, depending on the desired nuance. Remember to ensure context when referring to what an advantage is marginal to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight benefit

Emphasizes the small degree of positive impact.

a minor edge

Highlights a small degree of superiority.

a small gain

Focuses on the minimal increase achieved.

a modest benefit

Indicates a moderate degree of advantage.

a slim advantage

Highlights the narrowness of the benefit.

a negligible lead

Emphasizes a lead that is so small as to be almost insignificant.

a fractional advantage

Suggests an advantage that is a small part of the whole.

a minimal advantage

Indicates the least possible amount of advantage.

a trifling benefit

Highlights the insignificance of the advantage.

a technical advantage

An advantage based on knowledge or skill.

FAQs

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

Use "a marginal advantage" to describe a situation where something provides a slight benefit. For instance, "The new software gave the company "a marginal advantage" over its competitors".

What's the difference between "a marginal advantage" and "a significant advantage"?

"A marginal advantage" indicates a small or slight benefit, while "a significant advantage" implies a much larger and more impactful benefit. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the benefit.

What can I say instead of "a marginal advantage"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight benefit", "a minor edge", or "a small gain" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a marginal advantage" in formal writing?

Yes, "a marginal advantage" is appropriate for formal writing as it is a neutral and grammatically correct phrase. Just be sure that the context calls for the use of a term that expresses the sense of an advantage that is small.