marginal change in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal change in" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in economic or analytical contexts to describe a small or incremental change in a variable or quantity. Example: "The marginal change in demand for the product indicates a slight increase in consumer interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The long-term impact of these votes will be much greater than any marginal change in the makeup of the House or Senate.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, it seems pretty clear that the no voters were not just voting against a marginal change in the electoral system for which the case had not been made, but against the Liberal Democrats' shameless tergiversations since they got into bed with the Conservatives.

The Guardian - Books

Even if Bratza's hand on the tiller were to produce no more than a marginal change in the court's direction of travel, any criticism he might make could not be dismissed in the way that some critics might like to belittle the current president's comparison between Britain today and Greece under the colonels.

The Guardian

Bob Atkinson of comparison website Travelsupermarket said: "The VAT increase could mean a marginal change in people's daytime spending but you have to remember that the pound is strengthening against the euro all the time, and where we are now is more than 3% better than last summer – the currency change has offset any price rise".

The Guardian - Business

A variation of 3 4 fold in α causes only marginal change in radical production.

Chemical Engineering Science

Marginal change in fluid loss was observed when temperature increased from 100too 120 °C.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

We found only a marginal change in social and occupational functioning in the training group compared to the control group.

International Journal of Bipolar Disorders

As a result of dredging, there has been a marginal change in the distribution in the runoff branches.

Applied Water Science

The effect of heat conduction is confined to a very thin boundary layer near the exit, where it causes a marginal change in the temperature.

Chemical Engineering Science

With an increase in the viscosity ratio, the growth rate decreases and breakup time increases accompanied by marginal change in the drop size.

Chemical Engineering Science

In the post-monsoon season, there is a marginal change in the flash density between El-Nino and the Non-ENSO.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic impact, use "marginal change in" to precisely describe the effect of a small alteration in a key variable. For example, the "marginal change in" interest rates can significantly affect investment decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal change in" when the alteration is substantial. Reserve it for cases where the impact is genuinely small or incremental, not when the change is drastic or transformative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal change in" functions as a modifier followed by a prepositional phrase, often describing the extent or degree of alteration to a specific variable or condition. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating its prevalent use in academic and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

17%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Unknown/unmatched sources

0%

Encyclopedia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginal change in" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and news contexts. It serves to precisely describe minor or incremental adjustments. Ludwig AI, based on its analysis, confirms its validity and prevalence. While its meaning is straightforward, it's crucial to reserve it for truly small changes to avoid overstating impact. Alternatives like "slight alteration in" or "minor variation in" can provide similar nuance. With a high expert rating, the phrase is a reliable choice when accuracy and specificity are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight alteration in

Focuses on a small modification rather than a broad transformation.

minor variation in

Highlights a small difference from a standard or norm.

small adjustment to

Emphasizes the act of making a slight correction or refinement.

negligible difference in

Suggests the change is so small it's almost not worth considering.

incremental shift in

Indicates a gradual change occurring in small steps.

modest modification of

Implies the alteration is limited in scope or intensity.

limited fluctuation in

Describes a small and contained variation.

subtle transformation of

Highlights a change that is not immediately obvious or easily detected.

gradual evolution in

Focuses on slow development over time.

insignificant deviation in

Points to a change that lacks importance or consequence.

FAQs

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

Use "marginal change in" to describe a small or incremental difference. For example, "The "marginal change in" spending habits affected the economy."

What is a good substitute for "marginal change in"?

Alternatives include "slight alteration in", "minor variation in", or "small adjustment to", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "marginal change in" when describing a large alteration?

No, "marginal change in" implies a small, incremental difference. For substantial alterations, use terms like "significant shift", "major transformation", or "considerable change".

What's the difference between "marginal change in" and "minor change in"?

While similar, "marginal change in" often carries a connotation of being at the edge or limit of significance, particularly in technical contexts like economics, while "minor change in" is a general descriptor for a small alteration.