a marginal decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or slight reduction in a quantity or measurement. Example: "The report indicated a marginal decrease in sales compared to the previous quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Astrocytes showed a marginal decrease at Day 10 and Day 14.

Advances in Space Research

A mere $15 billion poured into schools produced a marginal decrease in performance, thus proving once and for all that money can't buy intelligence.

The New York Times

"While this is a laudable first step, the overall result is very disappointing as the GPFG's total investments in the coal industry show only a marginal decrease".

The Guardian

A marginal decrease in shear stiffness and shear resistance was observed due to the vertical load and bending moment applied.

Engineering Structures

In fact, adding more than 1.0% pomegranate powder, at a constant temperature, resulted only in a marginal decrease in thermal resistance.

Food Control

Results confirm that significantly more robust solutions can be obtained for a marginal decrease in initial species representation within the reserve system.

Biological Conservation

This was because of a marginal decrease (30%) in the average distance between fields and weather stations (from 10too 7 km).

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

The radiation induced defects led to substantial increases in the IFSS, and only a marginal decrease is observed in the measured fracture strength.

Carbon

A marginal decrease in the microhardness of Ni mullite occurred at 600 °C while, significant reduction was observed beyond 400 °C for Ni SiC coating.

Surface and Coatings Technology

The SWCNT/SnO2 flexible electrodes can be bent to extremely small radii of curvature and still function well, despite a marginal decrease in the conductivity of the cell.

Carbon

It has been found that with increasing driver compliance level for a given posted speed limit there is an increase in roadway capacity along with a marginal decrease in the travel times at flow levels nearing capacity.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal decrease", ensure the context clearly establishes what is decreasing and the units of measurement, if applicable. This adds precision and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the importance of "a marginal decrease". Since it signifies a small reduction, ensure your writing reflects this by not implying significant consequences or dramatic shifts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal decrease" functions as a noun phrase, specifically describing a reduction that is of a small or insignificant degree. It acts as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, quantifying the extent of the decrease. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marginal decrease" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for describing a small reduction. As Ludwig AI validates, it's suitable for formal contexts and is commonly found in scientific and news-related content. While alternatives like "a slight reduction" or "a minimal decline" exist, "a marginal decrease" offers a precise and neutral way to indicate a minor downturn. Remember to avoid overstating the impact of such a small change to maintain accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight reduction

Replaces "decrease" with "reduction", emphasizing the act of making something smaller.

a minimal decline

Substitutes "decrease" with "decline", suggesting a gradual deterioration.

a fractional decrease

Uses "fractional" to emphasize the smallness of the decrease.

a small drop

Uses "drop" instead of "decrease", implying a sudden or abrupt reduction.

a slim decrease

Uses "slim" to describe the smallness of the decrease, implying it is barely noticeable.

a tiny decrease

Replaces "marginal" with "tiny" to emphasize the extremely small size of the decrease.

an insignificant decrease

Replaces "marginal" with "insignificant" suggesting that the reduction has no practical importance.

a negligible downturn

Replaces "marginal" with "negligible" and "decrease" with "downturn", highlighting the insignificance of the reduction.

a modest dip

Employs "dip" instead of "decrease", suggesting a temporary reduction.

a minor setback

Replaces "decrease" with "setback", framing the reduction as a temporary obstacle.

FAQs

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

Use "a marginal decrease" to describe a slight reduction in something. For instance, "The company reported "a marginal decrease" in profits this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "a marginal decrease"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight reduction", "a minimal decline", or "a small drop" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a marginal decrease" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a small reduction. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for reports, academic papers, and business documents.

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

"A marginal decrease" indicates a small, often barely noticeable reduction, while "a significant decrease" implies a substantial and noteworthy reduction. The choice depends on the magnitude of the reduction you're describing.