a marginal decrease in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal decrease in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small or slight reduction in a particular quantity or measurement. Example: "The study revealed a marginal decrease in the average temperature over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

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

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

As the years go by, your washer probably will experience a marginal decrease in performance, and your clothes can start to look dingy, according to Melissa Maker, who started a cleaning service in Toronto in 2006 and has been writing for the blog Clean My Space since 2011.

The Washington Post

We observed a marginal decrease in Smad7 protein (Fig. 6G, p < 0.05) but no changes in its transcript levels (Fig. 6F) suggesting an overall inhibitory activity of Smad2/3 signaling in the presence of ITF2357. Figure 6: ITF2357 shows inhibitory effect on TGFβ/Smad signaling pathway.

Nature

Test results indicated that up to 30% coarse RCA had no effect on the main three oxides (SiO2, Al2O3 and CaO) of concrete, but thereafter there was a marginal decrease in SiO2 and increase in Al2O3 and CaO contents with increase in RCA content in the mix, reflecting the original constituent's composition.

Waste Management

Under the same operating conditions, the comparisons indicate that variable width collectors exhibit performance behavior similar to those of the constant width corresponding models, but it is accompanied by a marginal decrease in air temperature rise and collection efficiency along with a slight increase in fan power consumption.

Energy Conversion and Management

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal decrease in", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is decreasing and why its marginal nature is significant. Provide specific data or reference points to underscore the slight change.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal decrease in" when the decrease, though small, has significant implications. In such cases, opt for phrases like "a key decrease in" or "a critical decrease in" to reflect the true importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal decrease in" functions as a noun phrase that describes a slight reduction or decline in something. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marginal decrease in" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a small or slight reduction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across diverse sources. It's commonly found in scientific and news contexts. The alternatives, such as "a slight decrease in" or "a modest decrease in", can be used depending on the nuances you wish to convey. Remember that while the phrase indicates a small reduction, the context determines whether this reduction is truly insignificant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal reduction in

Replaces "decrease" with "reduction", indicating a lessening.

a marginal decline in

Substitute "decline" to express a downward trend.

a minor decrease in

Emphasizes the small importance of the decrease.

a slight decrease in

Emphasizes the small amount of the decrease.

a marginal fall in

Uses "fall" instead of "decrease" to suggest a dropping off.

a small decrease in

Uses "small" to describe the size of the reduction.

a modest decrease in

Indicates a limited or moderate reduction.

a trivial decrease in

Highlights the unimportance of the decrease.

a negligible decrease in

Stresses the insignificance of the decline.

a longitudinal decrease in

Specifies the decrease occurring over time.

FAQs

What does "a marginal decrease in" mean?

It indicates a slight or small reduction in something. The term "marginal" suggests that the decrease is not substantial or significant.

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

You can use it to describe a small reduction in a quantity or measurement. For example, "There was "a marginal decrease in" sales this quarter compared to last quarter."

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

You can use alternatives such as "a slight reduction in", "a small decline in", or "a modest decrease in" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "a marginal decrease in" or "a significant decrease in"?

It depends on the context. Use "a marginal decrease in" when the reduction is small and not particularly important. Use "a significant decrease in" when the reduction is large and has important implications.