marginal problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal problem" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an issue that is considered minor or of little significance in a broader context. Example: "While the budget cuts are concerning, the impact on our project is a marginal problem compared to the overall goals we aim to achieve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It was not simply a marginal problem, to be rooted out and eliminated; rather, corruption was an existential issue, he said.Overcoming it may require a societal revolution greater than that which toppled the Taliban in 2001, he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

My fear, however, is all I would achieve is magnifying a marginal problem among a small religious minority, contributing to a climate where Muslims generally are portrayed as extremists and potential terrorists.

Independent

This way, licensing issues are becoming a marginal problem, allowing companies to select a license appropriate for their business model.

Journal of Cheminformatics

However, despite the antiquity of this problem, the increase in the number of cases, that still is a marginal problem, is happening mainly in Europe [9].

European Journal of Futures Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

So even if the owners and managers are scrupulous about not pressuring employees, there's a built-in incentive to let marginal problems pass through...

Huffington Post

Our analysis documented the robustness of AC1 when used to assess the possibility of marginal problems occurring.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

We formulate and study an optimal transportation problem with infinitely many marginals; this is a natural extension of the multi-marginal problem studied by Gangbo and Świȩch (1998) [15].

Journal of Functional Analysis

Cocaine abuse, which had been a marginal drug problem throughout much of the 20th century, grew alarmingly in the late 20th century in several countries, and cocaine became responsible for a markedly increased proportion of drug-induced deaths.

Britannica

Cocaine abuse, which had been a marginal drug problem throughout much of the 20th century, grew alarmingly in the late 20th century in several countries, and cocaine has become responsible for a markedly increased proportion of drug-induced deaths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Our results favored Gwet's method over Cohen's Kappa with regard to prevalence or marginal probability problem.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The study in Chest magazine called dry air a possible contributing factor, and one of Dr. Cruickshank's co-authors, Dr. Richard Gorlin, said that the oxygen-poor environment could mildly affect an average person, but for those with marginal circulation problems, it could cause trouble.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity and precision, substitute “marginal problem” with words that more clearly illustrate the issue's essence, such as 'minor', 'negligible', or 'insignificant', based on the context and intended degree of impact.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal problem" when the issue has a significant impact. Overstating the issue will undermine credibility. Reserve "marginal problem" only for issues that genuinely have a limited impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal problem" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "marginal" modifies the noun "problem". It describes the nature or extent of the problem, indicating that it is of minor significance. This is supported by Ludwig's analysis, confirming its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marginal problem" is used to describe an issue of minor significance, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its grammatical structure is correct, functioning as a noun phrase with an adjective modifier. It’s most frequently encountered in news and scientific contexts. While grammatically sound and usable, it’s essential to avoid overstating the issue's impact, and to ensure the primary issue is well established for clear understanding. Consider alternatives such as "minor issue" or "insignificant problem" for semantic variation. The examples found by Ludwig underscore its use in various fields, highlighting its versatility in conveying the limited impact of an issue.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor issue

Focuses on the issue being small or unimportant.

insignificant problem

Emphasizes the problem's lack of significance.

negligible difficulty

Highlights that the difficulty is so small it can be disregarded.

slight concern

Indicates a minimal level of worry or apprehension.

trivial matter

Highlights that the problem is unimportant and lacks seriousness.

small setback

Refers to a minor obstacle or delay.

minor setback

Focuses on the obstacle being not too important.

peripheral concern

Indicates the concern is not central or essential.

limited difficulty

Emphasizes that the difficulty is restricted in scope or extent.

secondary concern

Indicates the concern is of less importance compared to others.

FAQs

What does "marginal problem" mean?

A "marginal problem" is an issue that is considered minor or insignificant in comparison to larger or more important matters. It suggests that the problem's impact is limited or not central to the overall situation.

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

You might say, "While the budget cuts are concerning, the impact on our project is a "marginal problem" compared to the overall goals we aim to achieve." This shows the issue is small relative to other goals.

What can I say instead of "marginal problem"?

You can use alternatives like "minor issue", "insignificant problem", or "slight concern" depending on the context.

Is "marginal problem" always negative?

Not necessarily. While "problem" itself implies a negative aspect, describing it as "marginal" can downplay its severity. It acknowledges the issue exists but suggests its impact is limited or not critical.