marginal difference in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal difference in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing small or insignificant variations between two or more items, concepts, or measurements. Example: "The study revealed a marginal difference in the test scores between the two groups, indicating that the new teaching method had little impact."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The Guardian - Travel

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

The Washington Post

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

Surface and Coatings Technology

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

The New York Times

For chloride transport, there is only marginal difference in the diffusivity of chloride ions between in HAC and OPC concrete.

Construction and Building Materials

Furthermore, MD simulation showed a stable parameters for the complexes of both MARK4-F1 and MARK4-F2 to PKR-inhibitor with marginal difference in their binding affinities.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

This is a measure of the likelihood that a state will make the marginal difference in the election, giving a candidate the decisive 270th electoral vote.

The New York Times

The oil industry already has access to fourth-fifths of the nation's recoverable offshore resources, mostly off Alaska and in the Gulf of Mexico, and drilling the forbidden areas — protected by a longstanding Congressional moratorium that President Bush is trying to lift — would make only a marginal difference in prices 15 years down the road.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

We focused on four cases that had a significantly different Bayes factor, but marginal differences in prediction accuracy.

Brain Informatics

RNV loaded with different hydrophilic reagents shows marginal differences in size and PDI.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Only marginal differences in SAR values of OD15 MNP with different hydrodynamic diameters and coated with PEG of different molecular weight (PEG5000: 210 nm, 5 kDa; PEG20000: 148 nm, 20 kDa) after PVA immobilization were observed.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two sets of data, use "marginal difference in" to highlight that the difference is so small that it may not be practically significant.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal difference in" when the difference is actually substantial or statistically significant. Doing so undermines the importance of the findings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal difference in" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adjective phrase followed by a prepositional phrase. It modifies a noun (often a measurement or comparison), indicating that the difference being described is small or insignificant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal difference in" is a versatile tool for accurately describing small or insignificant variations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and widely accepted, particularly in scientific and news-related contexts. While alternative phrases like "slight variation in" or "negligible distinction in" exist, "marginal difference in" provides a nuanced way to express a minimal disparity. However, ensure the difference is truly minor to avoid misrepresenting data or findings. In essence, master its use to convey precision and avoid overstating the significance of minor differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight variation in

Emphasizes the small degree of change or difference, focusing on the variation rather than the statistical or mathematical aspect.

minimal disparity in

Highlights the lack of significant inequality or divergence between compared elements, using "disparity" to denote the inequality.

negligible distinction in

Underscores the near absence of a noteworthy difference, portraying the distinction as practically inconsequential.

inconsequential variation in

Highlights the lack of significance or importance of the difference observed, marking it as not worth considering.

small degree of change in

Focuses on the limited extent of the alteration or modification, suitable when the change is quantifiable.

minor alteration in

Conveys a slight modification or change that does not fundamentally alter the essence of the subject.

subtle distinction in

Suggests a difference that is not immediately obvious and requires careful observation to perceive.

limited difference in

Indicates that the difference is restricted in scope or amount, suggesting a constrained degree of variation.

faint variation in

Implies that the variation is barely perceptible, almost to the point of being undetectable.

modest change in

Emphasizes that the change is limited in scale, portraying it as reasonable and not extreme.

FAQs

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

Use "marginal difference in" to describe a situation where there's a small or insignificant distinction between two or more things. For example, "The study showed a "marginal difference in" performance between the two groups".

What's a good alternative to "marginal difference in"?

Alternatives include "slight variation in", "minimal disparity in", or "negligible distinction in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "marginal difference in" is suitable for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, or professional contexts where precise language is required. The phrase accurately conveys a small or insignificant difference.

What does "marginal" mean in the context of "marginal difference in"?

In this context, "marginal" means barely significant or close to the lower limit. It implies that the difference is so small that it's almost negligible or unimportant.