marginal gains

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal gains" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It refers to small improvements or advantages that can add up to make a significant difference. You can use it in any context where you want to emphasize the importance of small improvements in achieving a larger goal or success. Here is an example: "The team's coach focused on implementing a strategy of marginal gains, encouraging each player to constantly improve their skills and techniques by just 1% every day. This resulted in a surprising victory at the championship game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Forget marginal gains, these are massive ones.

The Guardian

I don't think marginal gains is medical.

The Guardian - Sport

"You can't run out of marginal gains.

The Guardian - Sport

For me, marginal gains is about continuous improvement".

The Guardian - Sport

Dave Brailsford, the lord of marginal gains, calls it "the best in the world".

The Guardian - Sport

Nutritional supplements are another target area in the strive to achieve marginal gains.

The Guardian - Sport

There is much mumbo jumbo written and talked about the culture of marginal gains.

The Guardian - Sport

What happens, though, in the grey zone where marginal gains collide with zero tolerance?

The Guardian - Sport

There has been no let-up on the marginal gains front.

The Guardian - Sport

The "marginal gains" that Sky brought to cycling initially made it the butt of derision.

The Guardian - Sport

If Sky are seeking out new marginal gains why tell the world about it?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies for improvement, emphasize that "marginal gains" accumulate over time to create substantial progress. Frame them as a key component of long-term success rather than isolated incidents.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the immediate effect of "marginal gains". While they contribute to overall improvement, individual gains are small and should be presented as part of a broader, sustained effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal gains" functions primarily as a noun phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis highlights its usage in describing the accumulation of small advantages to achieve a greater overall benefit. It often acts as the subject or object of a sentence, representing a strategy or outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal gains" is a common noun phrase that refers to the strategy of achieving significant improvement through small, incremental steps. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, sports and business. While individual gains may seem small, they accumulate over time to produce substantial results. When writing about this concept, it's best to emphasize the accumulative effect of these gains rather than overstating the immediate impact of a single gain. Semantically related alternatives include "modest gains" and "incremental gains".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Modest gains

Emphasizes the limited size of the improvements.

Incremental gains

Highlights the gradual nature of the improvements.

Small gains

Focuses on the reduced scale of the improvements.

Slight gains

Indicates a minimal level of improvement.

Minor gains

Similar to small gains, emphasizing the unimportance of the advance.

Negligible gains

The changes are so small that they are insignificant.

Insignificant gains

Highlights that the improvements are not important.

Minimal gains

The improvements are present but at a minimum level.

Peripheral gains

Indicates that the profits obtained are not the principal ones.

Secondary gains

Improvements gained as a side effect.

FAQs

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

Use "marginal gains" to describe a strategy focused on making small, incremental improvements that collectively lead to significant results. For example, "The team's success was attributed to their focus on "marginal gains" in every aspect of their training".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "marginal gains"?

Alternatives to "marginal gains" include "modest gains", "incremental gains", or "small improvements depending on the context".

How does the concept of "marginal gains" apply to areas outside of sports?

The principle of "marginal gains" can be applied to various fields, such as business, education, and personal development, where small, consistent improvements can lead to significant overall progress. For instance, a company might focus on "marginal gains" in efficiency to increase profitability.

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

"Marginal gains" refer to small, incremental improvements, while "significant improvements" imply a more substantial and noticeable change. The concept behind "marginal gains" is that these small changes accumulate over time to create "significant improvements".