a marginal interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a level of interest that is minimal or not significant in a particular context. Example: "While I appreciate the topic, I must admit that I have a marginal interest in the details of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

O'Hanlon's casting implies that giving prizes to trees is a marginal interest, but TOTY is growing vigorously and he extracted some quirky comedy from proceedings.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the late summer of 1950, Namuth, a photographer for Harper's Bazaar with a marginal interest in Pollock, arranged to shoot him painting in his studio.

The New York Times - Arts

Even those with only a marginal interest in the matter find themselves pulled in by the conversational water cooler that springs up on Facebook and Twitter.

The New York Times

It's because of him that the general population has even a marginal interest in athletics.

Huffington Post

I had only a marginal interest in comic books but I became swept up in his enthusiasm.

Huffington Post

Joyce showed only a marginal interest till the shop owner stepped back, looked at the wound, made a comment, snickered and then moved back to his own customer.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Mr. Bopp called that "a very marginal interest".

The New York Times

The study of kinship came under attack not just from feminist and gender scholars but also from those who considered it a subject of marginal interest compared with politics or religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The elaborate, flashy imagery often represents a technical exercise that holds only marginal interest for a general audience.

Los Angeles Times

In archaeological literature, the study of trees and wood remains is a topic of relatively marginal interest, especially compared to texts on crops and human animal relations.

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

If there's very marginal interest in a record online, or none, then it's a little red flag for us.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a marginal interest" to convey a polite but clear lack of strong engagement. It's more subtle than saying you're 'not interested' and can soften the message.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal interest" when you actually have no interest at all. The phrase implies at least some minimal level of curiosity or concern; absolute indifference requires stronger language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal interest" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It describes the degree of attention or curiosity one has towards something, indicating it is minimal or peripheral, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal interest" is a phrase used to describe a slight or minimal level of curiosity or concern. Ludwig highlights that it's grammatically correct and usable across different contexts. While it is not an extremely common phrase, being marked as “Uncommon”, its neutrality makes it suitable for use in academic, scientific, news, and media contexts. To convey more specific levels of engagement, consider using alternatives like "a slight interest" or "a passing interest". Keep in mind it's better suited to imply some level of curiosity, instead of absolute disinterest.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A slight interest

Indicates a minimal level of interest, suggesting even less engagement than "a marginal interest".

A minimal interest

Emphasizes that the interest is at its lowest possible level.

A passing interest

Suggests the interest is temporary and not deeply rooted.

A casual interest

Implies a relaxed and informal level of interest, without strong commitment.

A superficial interest

Implies the interest is only on the surface, without deeper understanding or engagement.

A limited interest

Indicates that the extent of interest is restricted or small.

A negligible interest

Suggests the interest is so small that it's almost non-existent.

A faint interest

Conveys a weak or hardly perceptible level of interest.

A perfunctory interest

Suggests the interest is shown only as a matter of routine or duty, without genuine feeling.

A token interest

Indicates that the interest is expressed in a symbolic way, often without real involvement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal interest" to describe a situation where someone has a slight or minimal level of curiosity or involvement in something. For example, "I have "a marginal interest" in the topic, but I'm not an expert."

What can I say instead of "a marginal interest"?

You can use alternatives like "a slight interest", "a passing interest", or "a casual interest" depending on the context.

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

While both convey a low level of interest, "a marginal interest" implies that the interest is on the periphery or not central, whereas "a small interest" simply indicates the amount of interest is limited.

What's the difference between "a marginal interest" and "no interest"?

""a marginal interest"" suggests some minimal level of curiosity or concern, whereas "no interest" indicates a complete lack of engagement or curiosity.