a marginal amount of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal amount of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very small quantity or degree of something, often in contexts where the amount is considered insignificant or minimal. Example: "The study found a marginal amount of improvement in the participants' performance after the training program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

A couple of years ago, by comparison, only a marginal amount of mortgage debt — a few billion dollars — was resetting each month.

The New York Times

However, especially for paving concrete mix, which is typically proportioned with a marginal amount of sand, the nature of the EMV mix proportions leads to a far lower amount of sand.

Construction and Building Materials

I felt my wings were being clipped a little and persuaded her to let me write music with a marginal amount of energy for the aboriginal scene [Here to There], so the world would know that I could write stuff that wasn't all constrained in crinolined hoops.

The Guardian - Film

There is a marginal amount of romance at the end, but it's clear of sex, violence, much romance and yet still manages to bring you as close to tears and on the edge of your seat as much as a book that does have all of that.

The Guardian

Taken together, these findings mean that local newscasts cover only a marginal amount of science.

Science Magazine

"Everyone can identify with it, whether they play a marginal amount of sports or whether their father played sports.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I understand that some other drugs add only a marginal amount to the median survival time.

Forbes

By midnight on D-Day, June 6 , 1944 Allied forces held a truly marginal amount of terrain on the European landmass -- a few Normandy beaches and headlands, some isolated pockets of French soil further inland, all of it scattered over a disjointed front some 55 miles long.

The New York Times

All four of the results for England are up on the previous round [2011], though mostly by a marginal amount, either within the range of sampling variation or simply regaining the loss that was suffered between 2007 and 2011.

The Guardian

A paving concrete mix is therefore typically proportioned with a marginal amount (usually less than 700 kg/m3) of fine aggregates.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

The difference among (1), (2), and (3) is the marginal amount of data required per new speaker.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal amount of", ensure the context clarifies what the amount is marginal relative to. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal amount of" when the quantity is actually significant. This undermines the impact of your statement and can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal amount of" functions as a determiner phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a small, often insignificant quantity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal amount of" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a small, often insignificant quantity. Ludwig provides many examples from various sources, including news, science, and general writing, showing it is most frequent in science and news contexts. While the phrase is considered correct and usable according to Ludwig AI, it’s important to use it accurately, ensuring the context supports the idea of insignificance. Alternatives such as "a negligible amount of" or "a slight amount of" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When writing, be aware of the potential to overstate or understate the amount's significance and always provide context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a negligible quantity of

Emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity.

a slight quantity of

Highlights the smallness in a more neutral tone.

a trivial quantity of

Stresses that the quantity is unimportant.

a minimal quantity of

Indicates the least possible amount.

a small quantity of

A general term for a quantity that is not large.

a tiny amount of

Focuses on the very small size of the amount.

an insignificant quantity of

Highlights the lack of importance of the quantity.

a scarce amount of

Indicates that the amount is limited or hard to find.

a modicum of

Suggests a very small or moderate amount, often implying just enough.

a trace of

Implies an extremely small, almost undetectable amount.

FAQs

How can I use "a marginal amount of" in a sentence?

Use "a marginal amount of" to describe something that is present in a very small or insignificant quantity. For example: "The new policy resulted in "a marginal amount of" improvement in customer satisfaction."

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

You can use alternatives like "a negligible amount of", "a slight amount of", or "a minimal amount of" depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a marginal amount of"?

The appropriateness of "a marginal amount of" depends on the context. Ensure the quantity truly is small and relatively insignificant before using this phrase. If the amount is actually meaningful, consider using alternatives that reflect the true significance.

What is the difference between "a marginal amount of" and "a significant amount of"?

"A marginal amount of" indicates a very small or insignificant quantity, while "a significant amount of" suggests a quantity that is large enough to be important or noteworthy. These phrases are opposites in meaning.