a marginal discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or minor difference or variation in data, measurements, or observations. Example: "The report indicated a marginal discrepancy between the two sets of results, suggesting that further investigation may be necessary."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

With this value, a "marginal discrepancy pattern" could be extrapolated for each group (Fig. 7a, b).

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Similar enrichment/depletion patterns of metabolite classes along PC1 were observed with DS1-bolon data (Additional file 1: Figure S4), with a marginal discrepancy in phospholipid metabolism.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Most of the currently used CAD/CAM systems were found to show appropriate clinical marginal fit by exhibiting a mean marginal discrepancy value of less than 200  μm.

BioMed Research International

Fig. 7 a, b (The marginal discrepancy pattern for group CR and M4M).

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Each access-hole was divided into four areas including mesio-buccal, disto-buccal, mesio-palatal and disto-palatal surfaces (Fig. 4) to measure the distance of marginal discrepancy at resin/ceramic interface with a 1 μm accuracy (Fig. 5).

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

An improved method of evaluating marginal discrepancy is needed.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Marginal discrepancy is key to evaluating the accuracy of fixed dental prostheses.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

However, few studies have evaluated the marginal discrepancy of implant-supported restorations made with these new alloy systems.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

The marginal discrepancy patterns for both groups CR and M4M were different and shown in Fig. 7a, b.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

For this reason, the marginal discrepancy pattern, different in both groups did not influence the aesthetical result.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Data on the marginal discrepancy of zirconia-based fixed dental prostheses made with different computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology is needed.

The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal discrepancy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and the units of measurement involved for clarity. For instance, "a marginal discrepancy of 0.5% in test scores" provides better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal discrepancy" when the difference is substantial. Reserve this phrase for situations where the difference is truly minor and doesn't significantly impact the overall outcome or interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase, where "marginal" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "discrepancy". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. The provided examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in scientific and technical contexts to describe slight inconsistencies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal discrepancy" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a minor difference or inconsistency. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively rare, it finds its primary application in formal and scientific writing, where precision is key. Alternatives include "a slight inconsistency" or "a minor difference". Use it judiciously, ensuring the described discrepancy is truly marginal to avoid misrepresentation. Remember to clarify the context and units of measurement for optimal clarity. The most frequent sources are the International Journal of Implant Dentistry and BMC Plant Biology.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight inconsistency

Replaces "discrepancy" with a more common synonym, emphasizing the minor nature of the difference.

a minor difference

Uses simpler language to convey the small degree of variation.

a negligible variance

Emphasizes that the difference is so small it's almost insignificant.

a trivial divergence

Highlights the insignificance of the deviation.

a small deviation

Focuses on the act of straying slightly from an expected value or norm.

a minimal variation

Stresses the very small extent of the change.

a faint distinction

Suggests that the difference is hard to perceive or identify.

an almost imperceptible difference

Emphasizes how difficult it is to notice the difference.

a hairline fracture

Suggest that the discrepancy is extremely thin like a hairline.

a shade of difference

Emphasizes that the discrepancy is nuanced like a shade of difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal discrepancy" to describe a small difference between two sets of data, measurements, or observations. For example, "The study revealed "a marginal discrepancy" between the predicted and actual results."

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

Alternatives include "a slight inconsistency", "a minor difference", or "a negligible variance", depending on the specific context and the degree of difference you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "a small discrepancy" or "a marginal discrepancy"?

Both "a small discrepancy" and "a marginal discrepancy" are correct, but "marginal" implies that the difference is at the very edge of significance, almost negligible. "Small" simply indicates the size of the difference without necessarily commenting on its importance.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "a marginal discrepancy"?

It's inappropriate to use "a marginal discrepancy" if the difference is actually quite large or significant. Using it in such a case would be misleading and could undermine the credibility of your statement.