marginal gain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal gain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to improvement, efficiency, or performance, often in business, sports, or personal development. Example: "By focusing on marginal gains in our processes, we were able to significantly enhance our overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Doping is not a marginal gain.

Independent

But that is the only marginal gain.

The Guardian - Opinion

The one thing you see from us is it's all marginal gain.

The Guardian

At the very highest level, every marginal gain has to be snatched, hoarded, cherished.

The Guardian - Sport

One cyclist now tells the Times that the British Cycling set-up has become "depressing" – but doubtless there is some "marginal gain" to that.

The Guardian - Sport

Given the amount of time riders spend at the unit, it is unimaginable that this atmosphere would not have a constructive impact – another marginal gain.

The Guardian - Sport

He used every marginal gain possible – there were tales that the track was specially varnished, that the rear wheel was weighted to produce a flywheel effect and increase momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

But if there is one thing we know about athletes it is that even the non-cheats among them will explore any potential marginal gain in the effort to acquire an edge.

The Guardian - Sport

OK, so you may have forgotten to either mention or introduce Ben Howlett, the fresh-faced candidate who is hoping to turn this normally safe Lib Dem seat into a Tory marginal gain?

The Guardian

Take a pause and observe more closely, though, and it demonstrates just what a different world this is: in Edwards's time a marginal gain was staying upright; for Zoe Gillings it could make the difference in earning a place on the podium in the snowboard cross.

Independent

But, in their landmark study, "Academically Adrift," Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa found that, on average, students experienced a pathetic seven percentile point gain in skills during their first two years in college and a marginal gain in the two years after that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies for improvement, especially in competitive fields like sports or business, use "marginal gain" to emphasize the value of small, incremental advantages that, when accumulated, lead to significant overall success.

Common error

Don't overestimate the impact of a "marginal gain". It represents a small improvement, not a radical transformation. Using it in contexts that require a more significant change can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal gain" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It denotes a small but significant improvement or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal gain" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term that highlights the significance of small, incremental improvements. Predominantly found in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business contexts, it emphasizes the value of cumulative advantages, especially in competitive scenarios. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While alternatives like "slight advantage" and "small improvement" exist, "marginal gain" carries a specific connotation of strategic accumulation. It's crucial to remember that while it represents improvement, it's not synonymous with radical transformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marginal improvement

The term is a direct synonym, simply replacing "gain" with "improvement".

slight advantage

Emphasizes the competitive edge gained from a small improvement.

small improvement

Focuses on the incremental nature of the positive change.

incremental benefit

Highlights the additional value obtained through a gradual increase.

modest progress

Underscores the limited but positive movement forward.

minor enhancement

Stresses the subtle yet positive alteration made.

limited advancement

Highlights the constrained nature of the forward movement.

negligible increase

Focuses on how the improvement is so small it's almost not there.

minimal advantage

Stresses the small and possibly inconsequential benefit.

tiny edge

Underscores how small the advantage is.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "marginal gain" in a sentence?

Use "marginal gain" when you want to emphasize the importance of small, incremental improvements that collectively lead to significant progress. For example, "The team focused on achieving "marginal gains" in every aspect of their training regimen".

What are some alternatives to "marginal gain"?

You can use alternatives like "slight advantage", "small improvement", or "incremental benefit" depending on the context.

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

Yes, "marginal gain" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in business, science, or sports contexts. It conveys a precise meaning related to incremental improvement and efficiency.

What is the difference between "marginal gain" and "significant improvement"?

"Marginal gain" refers to a small, incremental improvement, while "significant improvement" indicates a substantial or major positive change. The former emphasizes the accumulation of small advantages, whereas the latter highlights a more immediate and impactful difference.