a marginal rating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal rating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a rating that is just above or below a certain threshold, indicating that it is not particularly strong or significant. Example: "The film received a marginal rating from critics, suggesting it was neither exceptional nor terrible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The 2008 Ford Crown Victoria got a "marginal" rating.

The New York Times

offset front test and a "marginal" rating in the 31 m.p.h.

The New York Times

One, the Chevrolet Aveo, earned a Marginal rating, and five got the lowest rating of Poor.

The New York Times

Three — the Hyundai Sonata, Chevrolet Malibu and Volkswagen Jetta sedan — earned a Marginal rating.

The New York Times

Unfortunately, he added, fixed head restraints are often not high enough to receive more than a marginal rating.

The New York Times

In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's crash tests, the Ram got good marks for front and rear impacts, but a "marginal" rating for side impacts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Misha Katz The confusion arises from overlooking the distinction between a total tax rate and a "marginal" rate.

The New Yorker

"It's a marginal rate cut for every American," Mr. Hubbard said.

The New York Times

Those who make over $1 million will pay a marginal rate of 12.3 percent.

The New York Times

Middle-class filers, who pay a marginal rate of 28 percent, get only 28 cents back.

The New York Times

As for the millionaire's surcharge, it would have amounted to a marginal rate increase of 22percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal rating", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being rated and the criteria used. This prevents ambiguity and clarifies the significance of the rating.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a marginal rating" always implies a negative outcome. It simply means the subject barely meets the requirements, which may be acceptable depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal rating" primarily functions as a descriptor, specifically an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "rating". This indicates the quality or level of the rating, suggesting it is just above or below a particular threshold. Ludwig AI shows examples where it describes safety ratings of cars or overall performance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a marginal rating" is a descriptor used to convey that something barely meets the minimum requirements or standards. It's grammatically correct and most frequently found in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its use in nuanced evaluations, indicating areas for improvement without necessarily implying failure. While not exceptionally common, the phrase is well-understood and serves a specific purpose in communicating assessments that are just above or below a certain threshold.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight evaluation

Replaces "marginal" with "slight", focusing on the small degree of the evaluation.

a minor assessment

Uses "minor" and "assessment" to indicate a less significant evaluation.

a modest appraisal

Emphasizes the unassuming nature of the rating.

a borderline score

Highlights that the rating is close to a threshold.

a negligible grade

Indicates that the rating is so small it is practically insignificant.

a basic evaluation

Focuses on the fundamental level of the rating.

a passing mark

Suggests that the rating barely meets the minimum requirement.

an acceptable rating

Indicates that the rating meets the necessary standards, although not exceeding expectations

a fair evaluation

Indicates a neutral and balanced judgement, without necessarily being high quality.

a standard assessment

Indicates that the rating is ordinary and meets basic requirements.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal rating" to describe something that barely meets a certain standard or requirement. For example, "The car received "a marginal rating" in side-impact crash tests".

What is the difference between "a marginal rating" and "a poor rating"?

"A marginal rating" indicates that something barely meets the minimum requirements, while "a poor rating" suggests that something fails to meet those requirements.

Are there synonyms for "a marginal rating" that I can use?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "a slight evaluation", "a minor assessment", or "a modest appraisal" depending on the specific context.

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "a marginal rating"?

It's appropriate to use "a marginal rating" when you want to convey that something barely satisfies the requirements or standards, without necessarily implying complete failure. This can apply to evaluations, assessments, or any form of grading.