marginal benefits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal benefits" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in economics to refer to the additional benefits gained from consuming or producing one more unit of a good or service. Example: "The company decided to increase production after analyzing the marginal benefits of producing an additional unit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"What do you mean marginal benefits?" he asked.

The New York Times

For the group as a whole, exercise provided marginal benefits.

The New York Times

But when drugs have marginal benefits, figuring out whether they work is controversial and time consuming.

The New York Times - Health

The £50bn increase in quantitative easing announced by the MPC may have only marginal benefits to the real economy.

The Guardian - Business

In need of a job right away, many pick relatively short training programs, which often have marginal benefits.

The New York Times

Psychologists who study the phenomenon -- the choice of toxic therapies for even marginal benefits -- use the term "treatment trade-off".

The New York Times - Books

Their problem is that any fixes are politically difficult if not impossible to bring about, and promise only marginal benefits.

The New York Times - Books

But the assumption that taxpayers derive no marginal benefits even from programs such as Social Security seems implausible to me.

The New York Times

On this basis you conclude that the marginal benefits of additional medical spending must also be huge.

The Economist

Of course, it would also be very difficult to actually measure marginal taxes net of marginal benefits.

The New York Times

Professor Folbre is unwilling to assume that "taxpayers derive no marginal benefits from programs such as Social Security".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic decisions, clearly quantify the "marginal benefits" to support your argument and demonstrate a thorough cost-benefit analysis.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "marginal benefits". Accurately represent them as incremental improvements rather than substantial game-changers to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal benefits" functions as a plural noun, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the additional advantages or improvements gained from an incremental change or action. As Ludwig AI shows, it is used in many contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginal benefits" refers to the additional advantages gained from an incremental increase or change. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, notably in science, news media, and formal business settings. It serves the purpose of assessing the value of incremental improvements and aids in decision-making processes. To use it effectively, ensure accurate quantification and avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives include "marginal gains" or "incremental advantages", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginal advantages

Replaces 'benefits' with 'advantages', keeping the meaning of a slight edge or gain.

marginal gains

Focuses on the slight improvements achieved, rather than the benefits themselves.

incremental benefits

Stresses the step-by-step or gradual increase in benefits.

small benefits

Directly indicates the limited size or impact of the benefits.

modest benefits

Indicates the benefits are limited in scope or quantity.

peripheral benefits

Suggests the benefits are on the edge or less central.

minimal benefits

Highlights that the benefits are at the lowest possible level.

secondary benefits

Emphasizes that the benefits are not the primary or main ones.

negligible benefits

Suggests that the benefits are so small they are practically unimportant.

poor benefits

Highlights the inadequacy of the benefits, contrasting with the idea of marginality.

FAQs

How are "marginal benefits" used in economics?

In economics, "marginal benefits" refer to the additional satisfaction or utility a consumer receives from having one more unit of a good or service. It's used in cost-benefit analysis to determine optimal production or consumption levels.

What's the difference between "marginal benefits" and "total benefits"?

"Marginal benefits" focus on the incremental gain from one additional unit, while "total benefits" represent the overall gain from all units consumed or produced.

When should I use "marginal benefits" in my writing?

Use "marginal benefits" when you want to emphasize the additional value gained from a small increase or change. It's particularly relevant when discussing resource allocation, investment decisions, or policy evaluations.

Are there situations where pursuing "marginal benefits" is not worthwhile?

Yes, if the "marginal costs" exceed the "marginal benefits", it's generally not economically efficient to pursue the additional unit. Decisions should be based on comparing the incremental gains to the incremental costs.