marginal business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a business that operates on the fringes of profitability or has minimal impact on the overall market. Example: "The company decided to divest its marginal business units to focus on more profitable ventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Universities for whom part-time is marginal business are, not surprisingly, closing programmes.

The Guardian

Refining, long a marginal business, is becoming lucrative.A number of catalysts are converting refineries into mints.

The Economist

Distributing insurance is only a marginal business for most banks, he says.

The Economist

It's easy to believe that co-operatives are a marginal business activity.

The Guardian

An altered environment is often more hospitable to new or formerly marginal business ecosystems.

Harvard Business Review

But cotton is a thirsty plant, and out where he lives, farming has always been a marginal business.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

KAUFMAN -- Well, you've got to be able to make these marginal businesses viable.

The New York Times

Although niche markets may represent marginal businesses, they may strategically represent important footholds for competitors.

Harvard Business Review

Its main thoroughfare, the eight-block Monmouth Street, is mostly filled with marginal businesses and eating places.

The New York Times

Some of these marginal businesses have developed enough economic viability to ultimately be sold, usually at a slight loss.

Harvard Business Review

But business leaders argued that a higher minimum wage would lead to higher prices, layoffs and the closure of marginal businesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic business decisions, use "marginal business" to clearly convey that the unit in question is not a core driver of profit or growth and may be considered for divestiture or restructuring.

Common error

Avoid investing significant resources into a "marginal business" with the expectation of rapid growth. Accurately assess its limitations and potential for scalability before committing substantial capital or effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal business" functions as a noun phrase, where "marginal" modifies the noun "business". This construction typically serves to describe a business that operates on the fringes of profitability or importance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal business" effectively describes a business that is barely profitable or of secondary importance. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is grammatically correct and commonly found in news and business contexts. Alternative phrases such as "low-margin business" or "subsidiary business" can be used depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize. However be mindful of overinvesting in these ventures, and know that focusing on core, profit-driving businesses is usually the key to scalability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

low-margin business

Focuses on the profitability aspect, highlighting the small profit margin.

unprofitable venture

Emphasizes the lack of profitability of the business.

subsidiary business

Indicates a business that is part of a larger entity and less central to operations.

secondary operation

Suggests the business is not the primary focus or activity.

small-scale enterprise

Highlights the limited size and scope of the business.

fringe business

Suggests the business is on the edge or periphery of the main market.

insignificant undertaking

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact of the business.

tenuous business

Implies the business is unstable or precarious.

non-core business

Emphasizes that the business is not essential to the company's main activities.

auxiliary service

Presents the business as a supporting element rather than a primary function.

FAQs

How to use "marginal business" in a sentence?

You can say, "The company decided to divest its "marginal business" units to focus on more profitable ventures" or "Refining, long a marginal business, is becoming lucrative".

What can I say instead of "marginal business"?

You can use alternatives like "low-margin business", "subsidiary business", or "small-scale enterprise depending on the context".

What is the difference between "marginal business" and "unprofitable venture"?

"Marginal business" indicates a business that is barely profitable or has a small impact, while "unprofitable venture" specifically refers to a business that is losing money.

Is "marginal business" the same as "small business"?

No, while a "small business" is defined by its size, a "marginal business" is defined by its profitability or strategic importance, regardless of its size.