marginal differences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal differences" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe small or insignificant variations between two or more items, concepts, or results. Example: "The study revealed only marginal differences in the performance of the two groups, indicating that the new method may not be significantly more effective."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Elections are won in the margins, and there are marginal differences between the campaigns that show us different strategies of the campaigns," said Kenneth M. Goldstein, director of the Wisconsin Advertising Project and the author of the study.

The New York Times

Only marginal differences were observed between different cell lines, indicating that genetic elements or the epigenetic status of the mini-EBV genome might influence the initiation pattern.

Plosone

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

First, it tends to be calculated on marginal differences: as in, does a class of 32 pupils really achieve differently from one of 28?

The Guardian

Interestingly, only marginal differences between these three DMARDs were found although their molecular modes of action differ.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Mr. Obama and Mrs. Clinton spent the last year debating their marginal differences on these issues.

The New York Times

"Bush has succeeded in convincing people that there are only marginal differences on issues.

The New York Times

"Although research has found only marginal differences in how female and male leaders use social media, personal postings are an exception," says the report.

The Guardian

Commodity prices reflect marginal differences; a small gap between demand and supply can mean a large price shift.

The Economist

But studies on surgical treatments for more common diseases, like a colectomy for colon cancer, have reported only marginal differences in outcomes between higher-volume elite hospitals and regular community hospitals, said Dr. Birkmeyer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets, use "marginal differences" to acknowledge small variations that don't significantly impact the overall trend or conclusion.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal differences" when the variations are actually substantial or statistically significant; doing so undermines the analysis and misleads the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal differences" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various domains. It describes slight variations that are often not statistically significant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginal differences" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote slight or insignificant variations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. While alternatives like "slight variations" or "minor differences" exist, "marginal differences" offers a specific nuance that emphasizes the minimal impact of the disparities. When using the phrase, avoid overstating the significance of the differences and be mindful of the context to ensure appropriate and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight variations

Focuses on the small degree of change or difference.

minor variations

Emphasizes the smallness of the deviations.

small discrepancies

Highlights the inconsistency or lack of alignment, but on a small scale.

negligible distinctions

Stresses that the differences are so small they can be ignored.

subtle contrasts

Implies that the differences are not immediately obvious and require careful observation.

inconsequential differences

Indicates that the differences do not have any significant impact.

minimal disparities

Highlights the smallness of the inequality or difference.

faint distinctions

Suggests that the differences are barely perceptible.

minute variations

Emphasizes the extremely small size of the changes.

trivial differences

Indicates that the differences are not worth considering.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal differences" to describe slight variations between two or more things. For example, "There were "slight variations" in the results, but they didn't change the overall outcome."

What are some alternatives to "marginal differences"?

Alternatives include "slight differences", "minor variations", or "negligible distinctions", depending on the context.

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

Yes, "marginal differences" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in scientific and academic contexts where precise language is important. For instance, you might say, "The study showed only "small discrepancies" between the control group and the experimental group."

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

"Marginal differences" refer to small, often unimportant variations, while "significant differences" indicate variations that are statistically meaningful and likely to have a real-world impact.