marginal adjustment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal adjustment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where small or minor changes are being discussed, often in economics, finance, or project management. Example: "The team decided to implement a marginal adjustment to the budget to accommodate unforeseen expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

(Via Marginal Revolution).

The Economist

A profile of the great Marginal Revolution blogger Tyler Cowen.

The New Yorker

The seat was a marginal Liberal one but after redistribution became a notionally marginal Labor seat.

The Guardian

ABC Friends' independence campaign targets marginal Coalition seats A not-for-profit organisation is targeting nearly 30 marginal Coalition seats in a national campaign to "protect the independence of the ABC".

The Guardian

But in winning the election for John Major he lost his marginal Bath seat to the Lib Dems.

The Guardian

David Brooks ("The Center Holds," column, Sept. 25) repeats the familiar criticisms of the supposedly angry, "marginal" Democratic Party left.

The New York Times

Lord Ashcroft at ConservativHome reports on the finding of a poll he has conducted in the 40 most marginal Conservative constituencies.

The Guardian

The former prime minister John Howard campaigned in the marginal Labor of Yan Yean in Melbourne's outer suburbs.

The Guardian

Labor gained large swings in many seats but these swings were mostly not in the seats that were most marginal, with Labor falling short in the two Queensland seats that were the most marginal Coalition seats in the country.

The Guardian

" The Solar Council, which represents the solar industry, is currently running a vigorous pro-RET campaign targeting the 20 most marginal Coalition electorates in Australia.

The Guardian

While there were some big swings, Labor failed to gain the seats of Petrie and Capricornia, the two most marginal Coalition seats in Australia.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial forecasts or project budgets, use "marginal adjustment" to convey that only a slight change was necessary to accommodate new data or unforeseen circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal adjustment" when the changes are substantial or have significant impacts. This phrase is intended for small, almost imperceptible changes, not for major overhauls.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal adjustment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a small or minor modification. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal adjustment" is a noun phrase used to describe a small or minor modification. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English, particularly in contexts where precision is valued. While less frequent, it is versatile enough for neutral to professional settings, such as formal reports or business discussions. When seeking alternatives, consider options such as "slight modification" or "minor correction" to maintain the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight modification

Focuses on the small degree of change made.

minor correction

Emphasizes the act of correcting a small error.

small alteration

Highlights a minimal level of change or adaptation.

incremental change

Suggests a gradual and small-scale modification.

modest revision

Implies a limited and moderate alteration.

slight tweak

Indicates a fine adjustment or minor refinement.

minor refinement

Focuses on improving something through small changes.

small amendment

Refers to a minor addition or change to a document or plan.

negligible change

Highlights that the alteration is so small it's barely noticeable.

limited modification

Emphasizes the restricted scope of the change.

FAQs

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

You might say, "The accountant made a "marginal adjustment" to the quarterly report to reflect the corrected figures."

What's a good alternative to "marginal adjustment"?

Consider using "slight modification", "minor correction", or "small alteration" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "marginal adjustment" in formal writing?

Yes, "marginal adjustment" is suitable for formal writing when describing a small and relatively insignificant change. It maintains a professional and precise tone.

What's the difference between "marginal adjustment" and a "significant change"?

"Marginal adjustment" implies a very small and often barely noticeable alteration, whereas "significant change" indicates a substantial and impactful modification.