marginal difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal difference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a small or insignificant difference between two things. For example, "The new car model was only marginally different from its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

More stuff only makes a very marginal difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

And it would make only a marginal difference.

The Economist

The average slugging percentage increased by 0.019 — only a marginal difference.

The New York Times

There may be a marginal difference in size compared to those here before, but "so what?

The Guardian - Travel

Taking the marginal difference between Freud and Self the 95% confidence interval is 0.02 to 1.64.

Nature

Even squeezing the subsidies makes only a marginal difference in the overall cost.

The Washington Post

Meanwhile, only a marginal difference of 7% was observed in transverse direction.

Construction and Building Materials

Microhardness measurements show a marginal difference in the hardness between ternary and quaternary deposits.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A marginal difference was found between extreme wave heights obtained from measured and modeled data.

Applied Ocean Research

The White Sox have a $71 million payroll and Minnesota is at $65 million, a marginal difference.

The New York Times - Sports

A win in Louisiana, however, would make only a fairly marginal difference in the delegate count.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginal difference" to accurately describe scenarios where changes or distinctions are so minor they have little to no practical impact.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of a "marginal difference". If a change is truly minor, accurately represent it as such to maintain credibility and avoid misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal difference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a difference that is small or insignificant. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal difference" is a commonly used noun phrase that indicates a small or unimportant distinction. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in scientific, news, and business contexts. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly establishes the elements being compared and to avoid exaggerating the significance of the difference. For situations where you need to convey a similar meaning, alternatives like "negligible distinction" or "slight disparity" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

negligible distinction

Highlights that the difference is so small it's practically unimportant.

inconsequential difference

Stresses that the difference has no practical importance or effect.

small distinction

Simply points out the limited nature of the difference.

insignificant deviation

Indicates that the departure from a norm or standard is not meaningful.

slight disparity

This alternative emphasizes a minor lack of equality or similarity.

minimal variation

Focuses on the limited degree of change or difference present.

subtle difference

Emphasizes that the difference is not immediately obvious.

minor discrepancy

Indicates a slight inconsistency or disagreement.

trivial variation

Highlights that the variation is unimportant and of little value.

modest divergence

Suggests a small degree of moving apart or differing.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal difference" to describe situations where the distinction between two things is very small. For example, "There's only a marginal difference in price between the two models."

What's a good substitute for "marginal difference"?

Alternatives to "marginal difference" include "slight disparity", "minimal variation", or "negligible distinction", depending on the specific context.

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

Yes, "marginal difference" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, business, or academic contexts where precise language is important. It accurately conveys a small degree of difference.

What's the difference between "marginal difference" and "significant difference"?

"Marginal difference" implies a small, often unimportant distinction, while "significant difference" suggests a notable and meaningful distinction. The choice depends on the actual magnitude and relevance of the difference being described.