marginal decline

USAGE SUMMARY

'marginal decline' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a small decrease in something. For example, "The city experienced a marginal decline in population over the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Continuing investment in new products across Emap's divisions, mainly in digital development, led to a marginal decline in underlying operating profit to £76.3 million (2010 £78.3 million).

The Guardian

In addition, the nation's major retailers reported sales for March that were up 1.7 percent, better than the marginal decline that had been expected.

The New York Times

The company put this improvement down to 32% year-on-year growth in digital revenue in the final two months of 2013, along with growth in printing and "other" income substantially offsetting a marginal decline in circulation and print advertising.

The Guardian

Analysts trimmed annual profits forecasts by between 2% and 3% as ABF said it expected a "marginal decline" in profits for the group as a whole this year as a "large reduction" in profits at its sugar business was offset by growth at Primark and its grocery, ingredients and agriculture divisions.

The Guardian - Business

This perhaps contributed to the marginal decline being observed in the sediment compartment with depth.

Environmental Systems Research

Other sectors experience a marginal decline such as the mineral sectors and services.

Journal of Economic Structures

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Yahoo and Webshots have had marginal declines in visitors, while Kodak's Ofoto.com, District Photo's Snapfish.com and Shutterfly.com, based in Redwood City, Calif., attracted 25percentto30percentcent more visitors.

The New York Times

The drop-off was particularly noticeable at Amazon.com amzn, the leading e-tailer, but other Web sites also saw marginal declines in traffic over the past week.

Forbes

The system, always financially marginal, declined after World War I. Losing business to automobiles and buses, it ceased operations around 1930.

Wikipedia

It is widely known that unexpectedly many diversified and diversifying clades that survive a period of mass extinction turn marginal or decline in the aftermath stage.

Biology Direct

The negative impact increases with the number of wind turbines at a declining marginal rate but declines with distance.

Energy Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marginal decline", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is declining and the specific units or metrics involved. This avoids ambiguity and provides precise information to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal decline" when the decrease is actually significant. This phrase implies a small and often inconsequential reduction, so using it to describe a major drop can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal decline" functions as a noun phrase where "marginal" is an adjective modifying the noun "decline". It describes the extent or degree of the reduction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal decline" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a small decrease. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in science, news, and business, as shown in Ludwig's examples. When using "marginal decline", it's important to avoid overstating the significance of the decrease. Alternatives include "slight decrease", "modest reduction", and "small downturn". Remembering these points helps ensure accurate and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight decrease

Changes "marginal decline" to a more direct and commonly used term.

modest reduction

Replaces "decline" with "reduction", implying a less negative connotation.

small downturn

Uses "downturn" to suggest a temporary decrease, often in an economic context.

insignificant drop

Emphasizes that the decrease is not substantial or important.

minor dip

Suggests a brief and shallow decrease, implying quick recovery.

negligible decrease

Highlights the near unimportance of the decrease.

limited reduction

Focuses on the constrained nature of the reduction.

tiny fall

Uses "fall" which is synonymous with decline, and "tiny" adds emphasis on the limited amount.

subtle decrease

Highlights the inconspicuous or understated character of the decrease.

a bit weaker

Expresses a very softened and less technical way of saying the same meaning of decline.

FAQs

What does "marginal decline" mean?

A "marginal decline" refers to a slight or small decrease in something, suggesting the change is not substantial.

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

You can use it to describe a slight decrease in various contexts, such as "The company experienced a "marginal decline" in profits this quarter."

What are some alternatives to saying "marginal decline"?

Some alternatives include "slight decrease", "modest reduction", or "small downturn", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "marginal decline" in formal writing?

Yes, "marginal decline" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business, scientific, or academic contexts. However, ensure the tone and level of detail align with the intended audience.