marginal effect

USAGE SUMMARY

'marginal effect' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase used in economics and statistics to refer to the effect of a change in one relevant factor on another, usually expressed as a percentage. For example, "The marginal effect of a minimum wage increase on employment was a decrease of 0.7%."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The treaty might have a marginal effect but it's not really going to change the game.

The Guardian

Call me cynical, but the legislation might have a marginal effect at best.

The Guardian - Business

However, I suspect one cup of weak coffee each day is likely to have only a marginal effect.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some people blame the Fed's monetary policies, but some say the Fed had only a marginal effect.

The New York Times

She said: "Ministers have ignored scientists' advice that a cull will have a marginal effect on bovine TB.

The Guardian

Even deep cuts in carbon production would have only a marginal effect on economic growth, the IPCC will say.

The Guardian

BeShears told me that she fears that this latest revelation will have a marginal effect on the vote.

The New Yorker

Error Marginal Effect Stnd.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Liquid superficial velocity showed marginal effect.

Process Biochemistry

The marginal effect is moderate, ranging from 0.094 to 0.120.

Research Policy

A positive marginal effect signifies an increased probability of dissolution.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginal effect" when the impact is small or not statistically significant. This accurately reflects the nature of the relationship between variables.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal effect" when the impact is substantial or significant. Using other terms like "significant impact" or "major consequence" will more accurately reflect the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal effect" functions as a noun phrase, typically used in statistical and economic contexts. Ludwig shows that it often describes the magnitude of change in one variable due to a small change in another. The phrase indicates the degree of influence or impact something has.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal effect" is a noun phrase used to describe a small or secondary impact, especially in statistical and economic contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It's most commonly found in scientific and news media sources, indicating a formal or neutral register. When using "marginal effect", ensure that the impact genuinely is small or statistically insignificant to avoid overstating your claims. Consider using synonyms like "minor impact" or "slight consequence" to diversify your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor impact

Replaces "effect" with "impact", suggesting a slightly less formal tone.

small impact

Uses the word "impact" instead of "effect" and qualifies it with "small".

secondary effect

Highlights that the effect is not primary or of major importance.

limited influence

Focuses on the restrictive nature of the effect or influence.

modest impact

Describes the impact as moderate or not excessive.

slight consequence

Substitutes both words, emphasizing the small and resulting nature of the effect.

peripheral impact

Suggests the effect is on the edge or not central.

negligible influence

Highlights the near absence of impact.

minimal consequence

Emphasizes the low degree of significance or importance.

inconsequential result

Indicates the outcome is not significant or important.

FAQs

How is "marginal effect" used in statistics?

In statistics, "marginal effect" refers to the change in one variable resulting from a small change in another. It's often used in regression analysis to quantify the impact of a predictor variable on an outcome variable.

What's a simple way to explain "marginal effect"?

Think of "marginal effect" as the extra bit of change that happens when you tweak something a little. It's the added impact from a small adjustment, not the whole picture.

How does "marginal effect" differ from "average effect"?

"Marginal effect" focuses on the impact of a small, incremental change, while "average effect" looks at the overall impact across a range of values or the entire population. The "average effect" considers the cumulative influence, while the former looks at the isolated impact of a small step.

When is it appropriate to describe something as having a "marginal effect"?

Use "marginal effect" when the impact is small, subtle, or barely noticeable. If something has a substantial influence, avoid using "marginal effect" and opt for stronger terms like "significant impact" or "major consequence".