if only marginally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if only marginally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true to a small extent or degree, often in a context where a more significant impact or change is desired. Example: "The new policy improved employee satisfaction, if only marginally, but it was a step in the right direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

Any of those pitchers could help the Yankees, if only marginally, for 2012.

The New York Times - Sports

But you also have to ask why they tend to seem stranger, if only marginally so, than male bodybuilders.

The New York Times - Arts

Umborous23: Gears is more of the same, with improvements, a much better Campaign than the first (if only marginally longer).

The Guardian - Tech

Updated at 4.34am GMT 4.24am GMT 5th over: India 14-2 (Gambhir 9, Yuvraj 0) Finn begins with four dot balls that move away from Gambhir if only marginally.

The Guardian - Sport

September 24, 2013 Updated at 9.51am BST 9.29am BST IFO: What the experts say Here's that reaction to the news that Germany's IFO business conditions index rose this month, if only marginally (see last post).

The Guardian - Business

In a world where brand names alone don't confer power, the only way to prosper is to make products that genuinely improve (even if only marginally) on what came before.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

While Fk4, if anything, only marginally contributes to reporter gene activity the Fk1-3 cluseemsseems to be the major site for Foxi1 dependent regulation of a4 transcription (Fig. 5).

Plosone

Our results thus suggest that plastic capacities were, if anything, only marginally affected by directional selection, and that plasticity was largely independent of the respective trait mean.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Morris's offer was better than nothing, even if it was only marginally so.

The Guardian - Film

To ignore such quibbles might be justified if innovation contributed only marginally to economic growth.

The Economist

So far, the preliminary reviews of the U.S. pavilion sound as if it is only marginally more impressive than that of North Korea, in terms of charm and imagination.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if only marginally" to acknowledge a small improvement or change, especially when setting expectations or discussing limitations. It adds nuance to your statements.

Common error

Avoid using "if only marginally" when the actual impact is significant. Ensure the degree of change genuinely reflects the 'marginal' nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if only marginally" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to indicate the extent or degree to which something is true or effective. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if only marginally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to indicate that something is true or effective to a small degree. Common in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts, its purpose is to acknowledge a quality while downplaying its significance. When using this phrase, make sure the 'marginal' nature is accurate, and don't use it when the impact is substantial. Consider related phrases like "slightly" or "to a slight degree" as alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slightly

A more direct synonym, indicating a small difference.

to a slight degree

Indicates a minimal extent of change or effect.

to a small extent

Emphasizes the limited scope of the effect.

a little

A simpler way to express a small quantity or degree.

just barely

Highlights how little the impact is, suggesting it's almost negligible.

somewhat

Indicates a degree that is not large, but still noticeable.

at best slightly

Highlights the most optimistic, yet still limited, outcome.

only just

Suggests the action barely achieved the result.

scarcely

Indicates that something is only just the case.

hardly at all

Emphasizes the near absence of an effect.

FAQs

How can I use "if only marginally" in a sentence?

Use "if only marginally" to indicate that something is true or effective to a small degree. For example, "The new software improved efficiency, "if only marginally", but further improvements are needed."

What are some alternatives to "if only marginally"?

Alternatives include "slightly", "to a slight degree", "just barely", or "at best slightly". Choose the phrase that best fits the context and the degree of impact you want to convey.

Is it better to use "if only marginally" or "if only slightly"?

Both "if only marginally" and "if only slightly" are correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific context. "Marginally" might suggest a more precise or quantifiable difference, while "slightly" is a bit more general.

What does "if only marginally" imply about expectations?

Using "if only marginally" often implies that a greater impact or improvement was desired or expected. It acknowledges that progress has been made, but it may not be fully satisfactory.