a marginal increase in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal increase in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or slight rise in a particular measurement or statistic. Example: "The report indicated a marginal increase in sales over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

In the short term, the report projects a need for a marginal increase in beds by 2004.

The Guardian

But the weakness of domestic demand is enough to prevent Hugo Boss from forecasting more than a marginal increase in revenue this year.

The New York Times

Fred L. Krebs, the New York & Atlantic president, said the third track might bring a marginal increase in freight trains, but "there won't be many more".

The New York Times

She is seeking to rally activists' spirits following a disappointing general election performance in which Plaid only achieved a marginal increase in its vote share.

Independent

"This could be the biggest, most valuable free-trade agreement by far, even if it produces only a marginal increase in trade".

The New York Times

The August figure signalled only a marginal increase in total activity across manufacturing and services.

BBC

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

Aquaculture

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

Energy

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

Organic Electronics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "a marginal increase in" with precise figures. Instead of just saying "a marginal increase in sales", specify "a marginal increase of 2% in sales".

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal increase in" when the actual increase is substantial. This phrase is meant to convey a small change, so using it for significant changes can be misleading and undermine the credibility of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal increase in" functions as a noun phrase serving as a subject or object, typically followed by the specific area or metric experiencing the increase. It describes a slight or minimal rise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a marginal increase in" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a slight or minimal rise in a particular measurement or statistic. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It appears frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is increasing and provide quantifiable data for clarity. Related phrases include "a slight increase in" and "a small rise in". Be careful not to overstate the significance of the increase when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight increase in

This alternative uses "slight" instead of "marginal", indicating a minor degree of increase.

a small rise in

Replaces "increase" with "rise" and "marginal" with "small", providing a more concise expression of a minor increase.

a modest gain in

Uses "modest gain" to convey a small and positive change.

a minor improvement in

Focuses on the positive aspect of a small enhancement or betterment.

a negligible uptick in

Highlights the insignificance of the increase by using "negligible" and "uptick".

a fractional increase in

Emphasizes that the increase is only a small fraction.

a limited growth in

Indicates that growth is present but constrained or not substantial.

a nominal increase in

Suggests that the increase is so small as to be almost insignificant.

a gradual increase in

Highlights the slow and progressive nature of the increase.

a creeping increase in

Conveys a very slow and almost imperceptible rise.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal increase in" to describe a slight rise in a particular measurement or statistic. For example: "The study showed "a marginal increase in" student test scores after the intervention."

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

"A marginal increase in" indicates a small or slight rise, while "a significant increase in" suggests a notable and substantial rise. The choice depends on the magnitude of the change you're describing.

Which is more appropriate: "a marginal increase in" or "a slight increase in"?

Both "a marginal increase in" and "a slight increase in" are appropriate for describing a small rise. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired tone, as they are largely interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "a marginal increase in"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight rise in", "a small uptick in", or "a modest gain in" depending on the specific context.