a marginal majority

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal majority" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group has a slight or narrow lead over another group, often in the context of voting or decision-making. Example: "In the recent election, the candidate won with a marginal majority, securing just over 50% of the votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Though the Supreme Court upheld the law against assisted suicide, the marginal majority decision prompted a review of the issue by the Special Senate Committee on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in a report entitled Of Life and Death [ 37].

BMC Health Services Research

They were both reminded of their "marginal" majorities during spirited exchanges.

The Guardian

Despite the unfounded but widespread conviction among ideologically minded academic critics that the western genre is inherently a "genocidal fantasy" about the systematic murder of American Indians, the Indians play at most a marginal role in the vast majority of the Bs.

The New York Times

47 The prevalence of binge drinking, which was formerly a marginal drinking behaviour in the majority of Mediterranean countries, has tended to increase, particularly in the younger generation.

British Medical Journal

With a majority of only 1,895, this is a marginal seat.

BBC

The Conservative majority at the 1987 general election was 4,896, which qualified it as a marginal.

The Economist

Under CBD negotiations the vast majority of responding countries was represented by environmental bureaucracies, while agricultural ones played a marginal role.

Forest Policy and Economics

Marginal seats: There is no fixed definition of a marginal: but if we choose to define them for the 2015 election as seats with majorities of 10% or less that require a swing of 5% for the incumbent party to lose, then there are currently 194 such marginal seats in Britain: 82 are Conservative.

BBC

It was a marginal call.

The Guardian - Sport

Later came co-firing, a marginal change.

The Economist

Doping is not a marginal gain.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a marginal majority", ensure the context clearly indicates what the majority refers to, such as votes, seats, or survey responses. This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal majority" to describe situations where the outcome is decisively in favor of one side. This phrase indicates a very close result, so using it inaccurately can mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal majority" functions as a noun phrase. It describes a situation where a group or entity has secured a majority, but the margin of victory or dominance is small. The phrase modifies an implied noun such as 'result' or 'outcome'. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal majority" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a situation where a majority is achieved by a small margin. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct. While versatile across various registers, its frequency is currently missing. The phrase serves to communicate that while a majority exists, it is not substantial and might be unstable. Related phrases include "a slight majority" and "a narrow majority". Ensure to use the phrase accurately to avoid overstating the significance of a close outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight majority

Replaces "marginal" with "slight", emphasizing the small difference.

a narrow majority

Substitutes "marginal" with "narrow", highlighting the restricted margin.

a slim majority

Uses "slim" instead of "marginal", suggesting a thin advantage.

a bare majority

Employs "bare" to convey the minimal requirement for a majority.

a close majority

Replaces "marginal" with "close", focusing on the tightness of the result.

a razor-thin majority

Adds "razor-thin" for emphasis on the extremely small margin.

a precarious majority

Implies the majority is unstable and easily lost.

a wafer-thin majority

Uses "wafer-thin" for strong emphasis on the extremely small margin.

a tentative majority

Suggests the majority is not firmly established.

a marginal victory

Shifts focus from the majority to the victory itself being marginal.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal majority" to describe a situation where the winning side has a very small lead. For example: "The bill passed with "a marginal majority" in the Senate".

What phrases are similar to "a marginal majority"?

Alternatives to "a marginal majority" include "a slim majority", "a narrow majority", or "a slight majority". These all convey the idea of a win by a small margin.

Is it better to say "marginal majority" or "slim majority"?

Both "marginal majority" and "slim majority" are correct, but the best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone. "Marginal" might sound more formal, while "slim" is slightly more informal.

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

In this context, "marginal" means 'small' or 'insignificant'. Therefore, "a marginal majority" indicates a majority that is only just achieved and could easily be overturned.