marginal contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal contact" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It generally means a very slight or limited amount of contact, either physical, mental, or social. For example, you could use the phrase "marginal contact" in the sentence: "The two groups had marginal contact until they finally met in person."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Moses stroked the ball home from the spot in the 61st minute after winning a questionable penalty from the English referee Michael Oliver as the Nigerian took a tumble in the area after marginal contact with Marcin Kaminski.

The Guardian - Sport

In comparison to salt bridges or hydrogen bonds, van der Waals contacts occur over a wider range of carbon-carbon distances (hence different values of contact energy), which may be grouped: contact 2.95 – 4.5 Ǻ, marginal contact 4.5 – 5.2 Ǻ, no contact > 5.2 Ǻ cf. [ 33].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Other than these four residues, the four other sidechains of visible residues extend into the solvent and make only marginal contacts with B56γ1.

Protein & Cell

The distance from the top level of the implant platform to the marginal bone contact level on the uppermost part of the implant (A) and the length of the implant fixture (B) were measured and corrected as follows to get the actual distance from the top level of the implant platform to the marginal bone contact level on the uppermost part of the implant (X) (Fig. 1).

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

While HeLa-Clontech cells lacking myosin IIB but express IIA, formed distinct marginal focal contacts during spreading, with reduced number of larger central focal contacts (Fig. 8B and 8D) compared to the HeLa-ATTC cells.

Plosone

The deficiency of tangential tension as a result of the disappearance of the marginal bundle prevents contact paralysis and leads to overlapping of contacting cells.

Plosone

The marginal effect of contact with relatives is positive and significant when high percentages of a country's emigrants settle down in the U.S., while a concentration of emigration in other developing countries makes the marginal effect of contact with relatives negative and insignificant.

Comparative Migration Studies

The marginal effect of contact with relatives abroad on perceptions about the role of the state (rather than the individual) in creating jobs is also positive but lower for lower levels of development, although this finding is less robust to alternative estimations.

Comparative Migration Studies

The evaluation of anatomic form, marginal adaptation, proximal contact, the resistance to marginal discoloration, surface roughness, the absence of secondary caries, and post-operative pain yielded very satisfactory scores throughout the study.

Clinical Oral Investigations

So far, there is one 3-year clinical trial where Biodentine has been used and in which the material has been assessed in terms of various parameters such as marginal adaptation, interproximal contact, surface roughness, and postoperative pain [ 12].

BioMed Research International

The contact was marginal with Ashley Young, who had been offside before receiving the ball and was arguably not the last man as he made to shoot.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing interactions or connections, use "marginal contact" to precisely convey a limited or insignificant level of engagement. This can be especially useful in scientific or technical writing where accuracy is key.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal contact" when there is substantial or frequent interaction. Using it inaccurately can mislead your audience about the true extent of the connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal contact" functions as a noun phrase where "marginal" modifies the noun "contact", indicating a limited or insignificant degree of interaction or touching. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal contact" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase signifying a slight or minimal connection. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across science and news media, indicating its versatility. To ensure correct usage, avoid using it when describing substantial interaction, and consider alternatives like "slight touch" or "minimal interaction" to convey nuanced meanings. This analysis provides writers with the necessary guidance to use the phrase effectively and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible contact

Stresses that the level of contact is so small that it's almost not there.

slight touch

Focuses specifically on the physical sensation of a light touch.

inconsequential touch

Underscores the lack of significance of the touch.

superficial contact

Indicates a lack of depth or meaningful engagement.

minimal interaction

Emphasizes the infrequency and reduced amount of interaction between entities.

faint connection

Implies a barely perceptible or noticeable link.

fleeting interaction

Highlights the short duration and temporary nature of the interaction.

limited connection

Highlights the restricted nature of the bond or link.

tenuous link

Suggests a weak and easily broken connection.

passing brush

Conveys a brief and superficial encounter.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal contact" to describe situations where there is very little or almost no connection between things. For instance: "The suspect had only "marginal contact" with the victim, making a strong connection unlikely."

What's the difference between "marginal contact" and "close contact"?

"Marginal contact" implies a minimal and almost inconsequential level of interaction, whereas "close contact" suggests frequent and significant interaction.

Are there any synonyms for "marginal contact" that I can use?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "slight touch", "minimal interaction", or "limited connection" depending on the specific context.

Is "marginal contact" a formal or informal expression?

"Marginal contact" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it is more commonly found in formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical fields.