a marginal deviation from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal deviation from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small or minor difference or change from a standard, norm, or expected value. Example: "The results showed a marginal deviation from the expected outcomes, indicating that further investigation may be necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The absence of nodes at distances larger than one could however involve a marginal deviation from the "hairy ball" conformation, with a few loads slightly greater than one due to inner connections in the peripheral component.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the analyses, the net power generated is fixed at 30 MW with a marginal deviation in order to compare the results with the conventional cycle.

Energy Conversion and Management

The properties of this interface are of paramount importance in organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), where the low intrinsic carrier mobilities of OSCs renders them highly susceptible to even the most marginal deviations from an ideal interface.

Johns Hopkins University

In a desperate attempt to pretend that pre-crisis normality had returned, Mr. Trichet even raised interest rates in two steps, in response to marginal deviations from the central bank's target inflation rate.

The New York Times

Marginal deviations from standard normal quantiles occurred mainly for DWT values less than 2 m (lower left panel) and between 2 m and 3 m (lower right panel).

Forest Ecosystems

The marginal deviations may possibly come from: (1) inaccuracy in measuring the AAO pore depth with SEM, mainly from viewing angle deviation for cross-section measurement; and (2) deviation in fitting method.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Twinning did have a marginal effect on the refinement, while a significant deviation from equal volume fractions of the twin domains was not found.

Acta Crystallographica Section B: Structural Science, Crystal Engineering and Materials

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

Consider how, in both circumstances, being the physical embodiment of a deviation from a norm renders these women public objects.

The Guardian - Opinion

What happened then was a sharp deviation from the norm.

The New York Times

They focused on showing that Officer Conway's tactics were a gross deviation from police standards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal deviation from", ensure the context clearly establishes the baseline or standard from which the deviation occurs. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal deviation from" when the difference is actually substantial. Using it to describe a large difference can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal deviation from" functions as a noun phrase, describing a slight difference or departure from a defined norm or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal deviation from" is a phrase used to describe a slight difference or departure from a norm. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts. It's often found in formal writing, particularly in science, news, and academic settings, where precision is valued. While there are numerous alternatives, it's important to choose one that accurately reflects the degree of variation you're describing. Understanding the nuances of this phrase and its alternatives can enhance the clarity and accuracy of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight departure from

Indicates a minor change or divergence, focusing on the act of moving away from something.

a small variance from

Emphasizes the difference in quantity or degree, highlighting the aspect of variation.

a minor divergence from

Stresses the point at which something starts to separate or differ, indicating a less significant split.

a negligible difference from

Highlights the insignificance of the variation, suggesting it's barely noticeable.

a minimal alteration to

Focuses on the small change made, emphasizing the aspect of modification.

a fractional shift from

Implies a very small movement or change, focusing on the transition.

a hairline divergence from

Uses a visual metaphor to emphasize the extreme subtlety and narrowness of the difference.

a trivial variation on

Highlights the unimportance of the change, suggesting it's not worth significant attention.

a shade different than

Uses the term 'shade' to denote a very subtle degree of difference.

a whisper away from

Emphasizes the closeness and near-identity, using 'whisper' to represent something barely perceptible.

FAQs

How can I use "a marginal deviation from" in a sentence?

Use "a marginal deviation from" to describe a small difference or change from an established standard or norm. For instance, "The experimental results showed "a marginal deviation from" the predicted values".

What's a good alternative to "a marginal deviation from"?

Alternatives include "a slight departure from", "a small variance from", or "a minor divergence from". Choose the one that best fits the context.

Is "a marginal deviation from" formal or informal?

"A marginal deviation from" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. It is often found in scientific, academic, and professional writing.

What does "marginal" mean in the context of "a marginal deviation from"?

In this context, "marginal" means small or insignificant. It indicates that the deviation is not substantial or critical.