a marginal form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal form" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that exists on the periphery or is not central to a particular topic or category. Example: "In the study of literature, poetry can be seen as a marginal form compared to prose."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Wind turbines were once a marginal form of electrical generation.

The New York Times

Outside certain pockets - inner London has seen an 144%percentt rise - cycling is very much a marginal form of transport.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the east London park where he was murdered now named Altab Ai Park over 1000 people gathered on Friday evening to protest a new, less marginal form of English racism: the nativist violence unleashed by the campaign to leave the EU.

Vice

In the east London park where he was murdered – now named Altab Ai Park – over 1000 people gathered on Friday evening to protest a new, less marginal form of English racism: the nativist violence unleashed by the campaign to leave the EU.

Vice

Legislating against a widespread and common form of behavior was very different from legislating against an uncommon and marginal form.

Bulletin of the History of Medicine

But Paterson straightforwardly describes poetry today as a "marginal art form" and says he even feels pretty uncomfortable calling himself a poet.

The Guardian - Books

That screen is clasped on two sides by an extra slim bezel of just 3.3mm, with LG touting "an industry-leading screen-to-frame ratio of 77.2 percent", showing how marginal form factor design parameters have become if makers are shouting about squeezing more screen onto the slab.

TechCrunch

And it would be preferable not to have an economy in which millions of people have to invent marginal forms of employment because there are so few jobs.

The New Yorker

Neither as cynical as "Chicago" nor as touchy-feely as "A Chorus Line," "Gypsy," set in the dying days of vaudeville, is both clear-eyed and celebratory about the energy and egotism that feed even marginal forms of theater.

The New York Times

In its search for ever more marginal forms of music, it supports heavy metal and garage-rock bands, as well as obscure dance subgenres like dubstep and moombahton (a style loosely related to reggaetón).

The New York Times

We study marginal forms on the borderline between Euclidean shapes and fractals.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal form", ensure the context clearly establishes what the form is marginal to. This provides necessary clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal form" when describing something that is actually central or significant. Ensure that the 'marginal' aspect is genuinely peripheral to the main subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal form" functions as a noun phrase, where "marginal" modifies the noun "form". It describes something as being on the edge or periphery, as indicated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal form" is a noun phrase used to describe something that is not central or mainstream within a given category. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically sound and can be found in both news media and scientific publications. While its usage is rare, the phrase serves to classify and categorize entities as being less significant or influential. When employing this phrase, it's important to clarify what the subject is marginal to in order to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a peripheral type" or "a minor variety" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a peripheral type

Replaces "marginal" with "peripheral", emphasizing the idea of being on the edge or outside the center.

a minor variety

Substitutes "marginal" with "minor", highlighting the lesser importance or scale of the form.

an insignificant kind

Emphasizes the lack of significance of the form.

a secondary category

Focuses on the form being of second-tier importance or classification.

a fringe manifestation

Highlights the form's association with the outer edges or unconventional aspects.

a negligible iteration

Indicates that the form is so small or unimportant that it can be disregarded.

an inconsequential version

Suggests the form has little to no impact or consequence.

a non-essential format

Emphasizes that the form is not necessary or crucial.

a trivial instance

Indicates that the form is ordinary or of little value.

an uncommon pattern

Focuses on the infrequency or rarity of the form.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal form" to describe something that is not central or important within a larger category. For example, "Wind turbines were once "a marginal form" of electrical generation."

What are some alternatives to "a marginal form"?

Some alternatives include "a peripheral type", "a minor variety", or "an insignificant kind", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a marginal form" formal or informal?

"A marginal form" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in news and academic writing.

What does "marginal" mean in the context of "a marginal form"?

In this context, "marginal" means that something is on the periphery or not central to a particular category or system. It implies that the form is less common, less important, or less influential than other forms.