a marginal prospect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal prospect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or opportunity that has limited potential or likelihood of success. Example: "Investing in that startup seems risky; it appears to be a marginal prospect at best."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The prospect of forming a Luka Doncic-Porzingis superstar tandem was well worth parting with a marginal prospect in Smith and taking on the future salary owed to Hardaway ($37 million over the next two seasons) and Lee ($12.7 million next year).

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is no longer a marginal view.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You may, through pure dedication, be able to jump one level -- from a middle-of-the-pack Olympic sprinter to the final heat, from a marginal N.F.L. prospect to a midround draft pick.

The New York Times - Magazine

Drug companies conduct research with only marginal prospects of success.

The New York Times

Padres officials, more concerned about ridding themselves of the financial obligation, agreed quickly on Jodie and Blakely, both marginal prospects.

The New York Times - Sports

It would minimize cheating for marginal prospects because the independent group would determine what they qualify to receive based a scale with specific criteria.

The Washington Post

"People get up and look at their players' stats every day, and root for them as they go through the minor leagues," said Newsom, who is considered only a marginal major league prospect because of his below-average fastball.

The New York Times - Sports

But after a year of American-led combat operations in Afghanistan, where NATO countries played a marginal role, and now with the prospect of war in Iraq, the grand alliance has never seemed more on the sidelines.

The New York Times

The loss of his Hampshire seat raises the prospect of a clash between the Coalition partners in a marginal byelection.

Independent

In contrast, if prospects are low, the optimal level of remittances may still have a marginal return which dominates that of savings: E[R′(r∗)]>τ.

IZA Journal of Migration

"Future prospects look dismal too with an accelerated reduction in new orders and although there was a marginal rise in employment, it is difficult to see how this will be sustained".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal prospect", ensure the context clearly indicates what the prospect refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal prospect" when the situation has reasonable potential. Using it inappropriately can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal prospect" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to indicate that the prospect or opportunity in question has a low probability of success or is of limited value. Ludwig AI confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a marginal prospect" describes something with a limited chance of success. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and neutral tone. While infrequent, it is found across news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that using "a marginal prospect" accurately reflects the low potential of the situation to avoid misleading your audience. Alternatives such as "a slim chance" or "a limited opportunity" can provide similar nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a doubtful prospect

Directly questions the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

a slim chance

Focuses on the low probability of something happening.

a limited opportunity

Emphasizes the restricted nature of the chance available.

a faint hope

Highlights the weak or fragile nature of the optimism.

a slight possibility

Underscores the minimal chance of something occurring.

an unlikely scenario

Indicates that the situation is improbable.

a remote possibility

Stresses the distance or unlikelihood of the event.

a precarious opportunity

Highlights the instability and risk associated with the opportunity.

a tenuous chance

Emphasizes the weak and easily broken nature of the chance.

a negligible probability

Indicates that the chance is so small it can almost be ignored.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal prospect" to describe something with a low likelihood of success. For example, "Investing in that startup seems risky; it appears to be "a marginal prospect" at best."

What are some alternatives to "a marginal prospect"?

Alternatives include "a slim chance", "a limited opportunity", or "a faint hope", depending on the context.

Is "a marginal prospect" formal or informal?

"A marginal prospect" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and business writing.

What's the difference between "a marginal prospect" and "a promising prospect"?

"A marginal prospect" suggests a low likelihood of success, while "a promising prospect" indicates a high potential for success. They are antonyms.