as marginal as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as marginal as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to compare something that is considered to be of little importance or relevance to something else. Example: "His contributions to the project were as marginal as a footnote in a lengthy academic paper."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He was once as marginal as a Lyndon LaRouche follower with a card table and a stack of leaflets.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One of the odd results of the current world of movies is that, despite their multiplex ubiquity, such big-budget productions as "Furious 7," or any of the superhero movies that fans of the "midrange drama" decry, have come to seem as niche-oriented — and even, in a way, as marginal — as lower-budget movies of conspicuous artistic ambition.

The New Yorker

When one really examines the numbers, the porn industry while a subject of fascination is every bit as marginal as it seems at first glance.

Forbes

And three – we watch more programmes like this, which though it had obviously caved into commissioning pressure early on and agreed to Bruno Tonioli as one of its presenters, thereafter kept his potentially smothering presence as marginal as possible and concentrated on the music, the lyrics ("'It's a sound like there's music playing'," said Jamie disgustedly of her father's lyrical attempts.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The arrival of more countries favouring English will threaten to render French almost as marginal as German.An increased use of English within the EU institutions will mean an increased use of it in the ministries of member states, where officials spend much of their time working on EU-related matters.

The Economist

"They will get a leg-up from that and those seats are not as marginal as they look because of it".

The Guardian

For those of us who now become hypnotically glued to TV sports as marginal as European handball and Indian Super League soccer, opportunities for exotic sports-watching were a little thinner on the ground in the pre-cable days of the 80s and early 90s.

The Guardian - Sport

Similarly, state medical association surveys demonstrate that the access to specialty care is usually just as marginal as in primary care.

The New York Times

There is a sense that facets of this affair are unknown to the public, but Ancelotti, if he lacks genuine commitment, will eventually seem as marginal as Scolari was in his declining days.

The Guardian - Sport

As marginal as track and field is in this country, Webb is wise to enroll at Michigan, in case the decimal points on the stopwatch don't work out.

The New York Times - Sports

As marginal as many of these artists were during the era covered by this show, there are plenty of clear links between what's on view here and "official" art and the art world.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as marginal as a", ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience. Choose an example that effectively illustrates the lack of importance or significance.

Common error

Avoid using "as marginal as a" when the subject actually holds some importance or relevance. This can undermine your credibility and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as marginal as a" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a low degree of importance or significance. Ludwig AI identifies that the phrase is used to draw a parallel between the subject and something else considered insignificant, as seen in its example usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as marginal as a" is a grammatically sound comparative phrase used to emphasize the insignificance of something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, suggesting it effectively compares the subject to something else of low importance. Although the phrase is more common in News & Media and Science contexts, it can be used across various registers with careful consideration of the intended nuance. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "as insignificant as a" or "as trivial as a" to better align with the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as unimportant as a

Directly states that something lacks importance or significance.

as insignificant as a

Emphasizes the lack of importance or impact, focusing on the negligible effect something has.

as trivial as a

Highlights the lack of seriousness or value, suggesting something is frivolous or unimportant.

as minor as a

Suggests something is of small scale or limited scope.

as negligible as a

Indicates something is so small or unimportant it can be safely disregarded.

as inconsequential as a

Stresses the lack of consequence or importance, suggesting something has no real impact.

as slight as a

Emphasizes the small degree or amount of something.

as secondary as a

Positions something as being of lower priority or importance compared to something else.

as peripheral as a

Indicates something is on the edge or outside of the main focus.

as immaterial as a

Highlights the lack of relevance or importance in a particular context.

FAQs

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

Use "as marginal as a" to compare something of little importance to something else equally insignificant. For example: "His role in the company was "as marginal as a" summer intern's."

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

You can use alternatives like "as insignificant as a", "as trivial as a", or "as unimportant as a" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "as marginal as a" in formal writing?

Yes, "as marginal as a" is appropriate for formal writing, but consider if a more precise or impactful word choice could better convey the intended meaning. Check other alternatives to see if more suitable.

What's the difference between "as marginal as a" and "as unimportant as a"?

"As marginal as a" implies something is on the periphery or edge of importance, whereas "as unimportant as a" directly states a lack of importance. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.