marginal at best

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal at best" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is only slightly acceptable or of minimal significance. Example: "The results of the experiment were marginal at best, indicating that further research is needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Instead, its influence is marginal at best.

The New York Times

If they don't, it'll remain marginal at best.

The New Yorker

The place remained marginal at best until September 1930.

The New York Times - Books

In both instances Afghan assistance is marginal at best.

The Economist

Cost recovery for producing material like this is marginal at best.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"The tradition is growing, but it's marginal at best in a lot of years of football.

The New York Times - Sports

But one senior official who worked in narcotics when they were assigned there called them "marginal, at best".

The New York Times

The results have usually been mixed, scientists and weapons experts say, and fuel arms have been marginal at best.

The New York Times - Science

The impact on the environment of pressing ahead (and on energy security, for that matter) would be marginal at best.

The Economist

Or if they aren't — like some grass-roots movements on the left — their influence is marginal at best.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But James has already carried one otherwise marginal-at-best team (Cleveland in 2007) to the finals and he came within two victories of a title with Miami last season.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an achievement, outcome, or condition that is disappointing due to its limited success, "marginal at best" is useful. This will add precision to you description.

Common error

Avoid relying on "marginal at best" as a catch-all phrase. It's often more impactful to specify why something is marginal or provide concrete details about its shortcomings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal at best" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun by expressing a judgment about its quality or effectiveness. Ludwig AI confirms that it correctly frames something as minimally acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal at best" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is only barely acceptable or of minimal significance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. It functions as an adjectival phrase, conveying a critical assessment in a neutral register. While versatile, it's most frequently found in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure that it's used to add detail and precision to your writing. The phrase implies the subject is only just above the lowest possible standard. For alternatives, consider "hardly adequate" or "scarcely sufficient".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hardly adequate

Focuses more on the inadequacy of something.

scarcely sufficient

Emphasizes the lack of sufficiency.

minimally acceptable

Highlights the barely acceptable nature of something.

barely adequate

Stresses that something is only just adequate.

subpar at best

Uses a more general term for below-average quality.

limited in scope

Highlights the restricted extent or reach of something.

of limited value

Focuses on the lack of worth or importance.

falls short

Indicates a failure to meet expectations or standards.

not up to par

A more informal way of saying something is not good enough.

just scraping by

Implies a minimal level of success or survival.

FAQs

What does "marginal at best" mean?

The phrase "marginal at best" means that something is barely acceptable or of very limited quality, effectiveness, or significance. It suggests that whatever is being described is only slightly above the lowest possible standard.

How can I use "marginal at best" in a sentence?

You can use "marginal at best" to describe situations where something is minimally adequate. For example: "The team's performance was "marginal at best", and they need to improve significantly to win the championship."

What are some alternatives to "marginal at best"?

Alternatives to "marginal at best" include "hardly adequate", "scarcely sufficient", or "minimally acceptable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "marginal" or "marginal at best"?

"Marginal at best" is stronger than just "marginal" because it emphasizes the minimal degree of acceptability. If something is simply "marginal", it might still be somewhat acceptable, but "marginal at best" implies it's barely so.