a marginal reduction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal reduction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a small or slight decrease in a particular quantity or measurement. Example: "The new policy resulted in a marginal reduction in energy consumption across the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This comes despite a marginal reduction to our estimated realisations.

The Guardian - Business

There has been a marginal reduction in the number of temporary teachers employed in the past year.

The Guardian

— The warming slowdown is one reason for a marginal reduction in expected warming over the coming century.

Yale University

From a public health perspective, even a marginal reduction could be worth it, Koper argued, since the medical and social cost of a single gunshot injury is substantial.

The Guardian

Such study shows area savings of up to 10% at a marginal reduction in delay and power around 3% compare to the conventional adder based reconfigurable structures.

Procedia Technology

The use of ANN architecture in the recovery algorithm gives a marginal reduction in computational time compared to an existing L0 relaxation based algorithm SL0.

Neural Networks

Continuing non-price induced energy conservation at the historical rate will only result in a marginal reduction in electricity rates, although lower electricity use means that substantial savings are nonetheless achieved in electricity expenditures.

Energy Economics

It was observed that lightweight concrete can effectively be used in lieu of normal weight concrete, which reduces the concrete slab weight by 22% with a marginal reduction in both yielding and ultimate load capacities of the composite beams.

Construction and Building Materials

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

E-cadherin also showed a marginal decrease indicating a reduction of this epithelial cell marker.

BMC Cancer

In the present study, we observed a transient marginal reduction in bubble shrinking rate or even a growth of air bubbles in adipose tissue, caused by the isobaric breathing gas shift from air to heliox (80 20), while at 285 kPa pressure.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

This indicated a greater marginal reduction in DMI at higher doses of propionate for ML compared to EL, contrary to our hypothesis.

Journal of Dairy Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a marginal reduction", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being reduced and the factors influencing this reduction. This enhances clarity and provides a more complete understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal reduction" when the decrease is actually significant. Accurately represent the scale of change to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal reduction" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a description of a decrease. It quantifies the extent of the reduction, indicating it is small or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

19%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a marginal reduction" is a commonly used phrase to describe a slight or insignificant decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and grammatical soundness. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a formal to neutral register. While alternatives like ""a slight decrease"" or ""a minimal decrease"" exist, "a marginal reduction" is effective when emphasizing the limited impact of the reduction. Remember to use this phrase accurately to reflect the true scale of the change being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight decrease

Uses "slight" to emphasize the small size of the reduction.

a minimal decrease

Emphasizes the insignificance of the decrease.

a negligible reduction

Highlights that the reduction is so small it's practically unnoticeable.

a small lessening

Replaces "reduction" with "lessening", indicating a minor decrease in intensity or amount.

a modest decline

Substitutes "reduction" with "decline", suggesting a slight downward trend.

a minor curtailment

Replaces "reduction" with "curtailment", implying a slight limitation or restriction.

a fractional decrease

Uses "fractional" to describe that the decrease is only a small part of the whole.

an insignificant drop

Focuses on the unimportance of the drop.

a trivial cutback

Highlights that the cutback is of little consequence.

a hairline drop

Emphasizes the nearly imperceptible nature of the drop.

FAQs

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

You can use "a marginal reduction" to describe a slight or insignificant decrease in something. For example, "The new energy-efficient appliances led to "a marginal reduction" in our electricity bill."

What are some alternatives to saying "a marginal reduction"?

Alternatives include "a slight decrease", "a minimal decrease", or "a negligible reduction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a marginal reduction" or "a significant reduction"?

The choice depends on the actual extent of the decrease. Use "a marginal reduction" when the decrease is small and relatively unimportant. Use "a significant reduction" when the decrease is substantial and noteworthy.

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

In this context, "marginal" means small, slight, or barely sufficient. It indicates that the reduction is not substantial or dramatic.