marginal issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal issue" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a minor or unimportant aspect of something. Example: While the main focus of the presentation was on the company's financial growth, the speaker also briefly touched on some marginal issues such as employee satisfaction and sustainability efforts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

This is not a marginal issue, nor one for compromise.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This," Mr. Sharpton added, "is not a marginal issue".

The New York Times

"The relationship between Britain and Europe isn't some marginal issue," wrote Cameron.

The Guardian

"Think about Scotland – the marginal issue of independence suddenly took hold.

The Guardian

Yet the Court is a marginal issue in the current campaign.

The New Yorker

This doesn't look like a marginal issue to me, it looks like a powerful force of structural sexism.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

The ruling is in line with recent ECHR judgments that have stressed the so-called "margin of appreciation" – the latitude allowed to member states in deciding more marginal issues according to their national legal traditions.

The Guardian

"Neither the discussions at the summit nor the public debate in Israel were marginal issues.

The New York Times

Instead, the candidates squabbled over marginal issues -- a windfall tax and the rights of pensioners, for example.

The New York Times

Tensions have centred on marginal issues, such as worries about non-English-speaking children in schools, or drink-driving easterners.

The Economist

Across Europe, political unwillingness to confront the scale of the continent's refugee crisis has diverted the debate into marginal issues.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing "marginal issue", be prepared to substantiate why it's not a primary concern. Briefly acknowledge its existence, then highlight more pressing aspects of the situation.

Common error

Avoid dismissing genuine concerns as "marginal issues" simply to avoid addressing them. This can damage credibility and create mistrust. Ensure your assessment of marginality is well-supported and respectful of others' perspectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal issue" functions primarily as a noun phrase modifier. It describes a noun (issue) by attributing to it the quality of being "marginal", meaning of secondary importance or significance. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and accepted usage in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marginal issue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a topic of minor importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and suitable for written English. Analysis of various sources reveals its prevalent use in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you can justify why the issue is indeed marginal to maintain credibility. While alternatives exist, "marginal issue" provides a clear and concise way to downplay the significance of a topic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor concern

Replaces 'issue' with 'concern', implying a slightly different nuance but retaining the sense of unimportance.

secondary matter

Substitutes both 'marginal' and 'issue' with synonyms that convey a lower level of importance.

trivial point

Highlights the insignificance of the issue, focusing on its lack of substance.

inconsequential detail

Emphasizes the lack of consequence or impact of the detail in question.

peripheral consideration

Indicates that the issue is not central but rather on the periphery of the main focus.

slight problem

Uses a more direct term for issue, suggesting it is small and easily resolved.

unimportant aspect

Directly states that the aspect is not important.

negligible factor

Indicates that the factor has a minimal effect or influence.

side issue

Implies that the issue is a distraction from the main topic.

ancillary topic

Presents the topic as supplementary or subordinate to the primary subject.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal issue" to describe something of minor importance, such as: "While budget constraints are a factor, they're a "marginal issue" compared to the long-term benefits of this project."

What are some alternatives to "marginal issue"?

Alternatives include "minor concern", "secondary matter", or "trivial point", each emphasizing the low level of importance.

Is it appropriate to call something a "marginal issue" in a formal setting?

Yes, "marginal issue" is suitable for formal settings, but ensure you provide context and justification for why you consider the issue marginal. Alternatives like "peripheral consideration" may also be appropriate.

What's the difference between "marginal issue" and "side issue"?

"Marginal issue" implies something is unimportant in itself, while "side issue" suggests it's a distraction from the main topic, even if it might be important otherwise.