a marginal increase

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal increase" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe a small or slight increase in something. Example: "The company saw a marginal increase in sales this quarter compared to last."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Israel had the highest Neet rate, with 30.7%, but this was a marginal increase on 2008.

The Guardian

"You've seen it in the N.B.A. deal, which had a marginal increase.

The New York Times - Sports

The figure was a marginal increase on last year's 2.6 million.

The Guardian

That is a heady multiple for only a marginal increase in market share.

The New York Times

Social mobility is a problem that cannot be fixed by a marginal increase in school funding for poorer pupils.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Despite the tragedy, the industry ended the year with 6.9 million North Americans cruising, a marginal increase over 2000".

The New York Times - Travel

Testing larger numbers of progeny resulted in a marginal increase in response to selection.

Aquaculture

The chemical composition remained unvaried, with a marginal increase in the oxide content.

Materials & Design

A reduction in carbon monoxide and a marginal increase in nitrogen oxides emissions was observed.

Energy

Phenols showed a marginal increase with the progression in senescence from day 2 to day 5.

Scientia Horticulturae

A marginal increase in adhesion energy was measured with increased O2 plasma power.

Organic Electronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marginal increase" to downplay the significance of a change, especially when presenting data or results.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal increase" when the actual change is substantial. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal increase" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes an action or state that involves a slight increase. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal increase" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to denote a small or slight increase. Ludwig AI's analysis, corroborated by numerous examples from diverse sources, highlights its common usage across scientific, news, and business contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to use this phrase accurately, avoiding exaggeration and ensuring the context aligns with the minor nature of the increase. Alternatives like "a slight uptick" or "a minor improvement" can be considered for nuanced expression. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for a wide range of formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight uptick

Replaces "increase" with "uptick", indicating a small upward trend.

a minor improvement

Substitutes "increase" with "improvement", suggesting a small positive change.

a small addition

Focuses on the additive aspect of the increase, emphasizing its small size.

a negligible rise

Emphasizes the insignificance of the increase by using "negligible".

a modest gain

Replaces "increase" with "gain", implying a small advantage or benefit.

a fractional increment

Uses "fractional" and "increment" to highlight the minute quantity of the increase.

a limited growth

Specifies that the growth is not substantial or widespread.

a tiny escalation

Emphasizes the smallness of the increase by using "tiny" and "escalation".

a hairline advancement

Emphasizes the minimal nature of the increase, likening it to a hairline.

a creeping escalation

Conveys that the increase is slow and barely perceptible.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal increase" to describe a slight or small increase in something. For instance, "The company reported "a marginal increase" in profits this quarter".

What's a good alternative to "a marginal increase"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a slight increase", "a small increase", or "a minor improvement", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "a marginal increase" is suitable for formal writing. It's often used in reports, academic papers, and business documents to describe minor changes.

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

"A marginal increase" refers to a small, often barely noticeable, change. In contrast, "a significant increase" indicates a substantial and important change.