could differ marginally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could differ marginally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing variations or differences that are small or insignificant in nature. Example: "The results of the experiment could differ marginally due to slight variations in temperature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senior government advisers differ marginally on inflation forecasts but otherwise there is consensus that the good times can continue into 2004, perhaps beyond, without any overheating.

The New York Times

Post hoc contrasts showed that all levels differ significantly from each other although ethical and economic responsibilities differ marginally (p = .07).07

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

As observed in Figure 2 and in Table 3, we find that the ROC curves can differ marginally when the interaction factor is high (i.e. γ = 10).

Plosone

The proportions of respondents from the different professions differed marginally across the years.

BMC Health Services Research

Reasonable minds could differ about how to define this term.

Forbes

Reasonable minds could differ there ― and probably do.

HuffPost

But other prices of day-to-day goods could differ.

Los Angeles Times

These parameters could differ between populations.

Global Health Action

Skyglow differed marginally, and in all cases with valid data changed by  <  ± 20%.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy and Radiative Transfer

Other chemical components were similar or differed marginally and digestibility was similar.

Animal Feed Science and Technology

(The.22 caliber bullet is the most common ammunition in the world. It differs marginally in diameter but is considerably less powerful than the.223 caliber bullet).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could differ marginally", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the slight difference is being noted. This clarifies its relevance to the overall point.

Common error

Avoid using "could differ marginally" when the differences are actually substantial. This phrase is best suited for cases where the variations are minor and almost negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could differ marginally" functions as a qualifying statement, suggesting a potential but small degree of variation between two or more items or situations. The presence of 'could' indicates possibility, and 'marginally' emphasizes the slight nature of the difference. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could differ marginally" serves to express that slight differences might exist. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Given its function, it fits into diverse contexts from formal to informal, though it is more common in professional environments. When writing, it is best used to downplay the importance of potential variations in order to focus on overall consistency. Alternatives include "may vary slightly" and "show subtle differences".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may vary slightly

Emphasizes the variation is small.

might change a little

Focuses on a small degree of change.

show subtle differences

Highlights the subtlety of the differences.

differ to a small extent

Uses a more formal tone to express slight difference.

are nearly identical

Implies a high degree of similarity with minor deviations.

vary insignificantly

Stresses that the variations are not important.

are practically the same

Highlights the near equivalence of the items being compared.

exhibit minimal variation

Focuses on the limited range of variation.

demonstrate trivial differences

Indicates the differences are unimportant or negligible.

present minor variations

Suggests small changes or alterations.

FAQs

How can I use "could differ marginally" in a sentence?

Use "could differ marginally" to indicate that two or more things might be slightly different. For example: "The results of the two experiments "could differ marginally" due to variations in environmental conditions."

What are some alternatives to "could differ marginally"?

You can use alternatives like "may vary slightly", "might change a little", or "show subtle differences" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "could differ marginally" in formal writing?

Yes, "could differ marginally" is appropriate for formal writing when you need to express a small or insignificant difference. However, consider using more formal alternatives like "differ to a small extent" for added precision.

What is the difference between "could differ marginally" and "are completely different"?

"Could differ marginally" implies a slight variation, while "are completely different" indicates a significant and fundamental dissimilarity. The former suggests a nuanced comparison, whereas the latter suggests no meaningful similarity exists.