marginal decrease

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal decrease" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or insignificant reduction in quantity, value, or level. Example: "The report indicated a marginal decrease in sales over the last quarter, suggesting that the market remains stable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Functional benefits culminated to 74.1% of WT values at D84 and showed only marginal decrease at D210.

Nature

Astrocytes showed a marginal decrease at Day 10 and Day 14.

Advances in Space Research

A mere $15 billion poured into schools produced a marginal decrease in performance, thus proving once and for all that money can't buy intelligence.

The New York Times

"While this is a laudable first step, the overall result is very disappointing as the GPFG's total investments in the coal industry show only a marginal decrease".

The Guardian

A marginal decrease in shear stiffness and shear resistance was observed due to the vertical load and bending moment applied.

Engineering Structures

In fact, adding more than 1.0% pomegranate powder, at a constant temperature, resulted only in a marginal decrease in thermal resistance.

Food Control

Results confirm that significantly more robust solutions can be obtained for a marginal decrease in initial species representation within the reserve system.

Biological Conservation

This was because of a marginal decrease (30%) in the average distance between fields and weather stations (from 10too 7 km).

International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation

The radiation induced defects led to substantial increases in the IFSS, and only a marginal decrease is observed in the measured fracture strength.

Carbon

The mechanical properties of the organoclay nanocomposites were significantly increased with marginal decrease of ductility and showed much greater values than glass fiber composites.

Polymer

A marginal decrease in the microhardness of Ni mullite occurred at 600 °C while, significant reduction was observed beyond 400 °C for Ni SiC coating.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marginal decrease", ensure the context clearly indicates what is decreasing and the scale or unit of measurement involved. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal decrease" when the reduction is actually substantial. This phrase is best suited for minor, almost negligible changes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal decrease" functions as a noun phrase, where "marginal" modifies the noun "decrease". It describes a reduction that is small or insignificant in magnitude. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its use in various contexts to denote a minor decline.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

10%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal decrease" is a noun phrase used to describe a small or insignificant reduction. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific and formal contexts. While alternatives like "slight reduction" or "minor decline" exist, "marginal decrease" provides a precise way to convey the limited impact of the reduction. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clarifies what is decreasing and the scale of measurement to prevent any ambiguity. It is most appropriate for describing genuinely small changes, avoiding overstatement of minimal impacts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight reduction

This alternative uses a different adjective to describe the size of the reduction, emphasizing its small magnitude.

minor decline

This alternative substitutes both words, providing a fresh way to express the same idea of a small drop.

minimal decrease

This phrase employs "minimal" to underscore the insignificance of the decrease.

small reduction

This uses a more general adjective, "small", to describe the reduction.

negligible decline

This emphasizes that the decrease is so small as to be unimportant.

insignificant reduction

This alternative explicitly states the lack of significance of the reduction.

modest decline

This suggests a limited or temperate decline.

slight downturn

This uses "downturn" instead of decrease, giving a slightly different nuance related to trends or performance.

limited reduction

This highlights the constrained nature of the reduction.

fractional decrease

This emphasizes that the decrease is just a small part or fraction of the whole.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal decrease" to describe a small reduction in something. For example, "The study showed a marginal decrease in error rates after the new training program was implemented."

What are some alternatives to "marginal decrease"?

Some alternatives include "slight reduction", "minor decline", or "minimal decrease". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "marginal decrease" the same as "significant decrease"?

No, "marginal decrease" indicates a small, often unimportant reduction, while "significant decrease" implies a large and noteworthy reduction.

Can I use "marginal decrease" in formal writing?

Yes, "marginal decrease" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific or technical contexts where precise language is important.