marginal question

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal question" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: Many people have asked whether the decision to end funding would have been any different had the proposal been presented in a different way, but it remains a marginal question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

He added that there was an "advantage" in putting a direct "in or out" question to the British electorate, rather than asking a marginal question relating to one aspect of the European Union.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Those are not trivial, or marginal, questions.

The New York Times

In a session on digital annotation tools, David Karger, a computer scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, described his annotation software NB, which allows students to collaboratively insert marginal questions and comments into class reading —  thus opening up a channel for students who would not otherwise speak in class, he said.

The New York Times - Books

However, failures in many large clinical trials using A β-targeted drugs (Table 4) and FDA approved compounds with marginal efficacy questioned the validity of A β cascade hypothesis.

BioMed Research International

Four items were eliminated because their index of discrimination was <25% for both parents and youth; however, one item with a marginal discrimination index value (question 23) (Table 2) was retained for greater conceptual comprehensiveness of the carbohydrate-counting questions.

Diabetes Care

Nonetheless, these large-scale factors swamp the question of marginal training cost.

The New York Times

Importantly, he runs Tory campaigns in critical marginal seats.A pressing question for senior Tories is just when they discovered his tax status.

The Economist

"However, if we don't deal with the situation," Mr. Coltart said, "if we don't establish what the facts are and discipline where necessary, there will be marginal voters who may question our ability to govern".

The New York Times

As to what is the appropriate debt-to-GDP ratio to pursue in the long run, that is a difficult empirical question: when marginal increases in the debt-to-GDP ratio sharply raise expectations of long-run inflation and sharply raise real interest rates, then the debt-to-GDP ratio is more than high enough and should not go any higher.

The Economist

The marginal improvements raise the question on what ground patients were discharged.

BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Swinton et al. (2011) question whether marginal land can be made available at sufficiently low cost, while Garnett (2009) argues that livestock farms on 'marginal' agricultural land may provide an important role in maintaining grasslands and the carbon sinks associated with these areas.

Energy Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginal question" when you want to downplay the importance of an inquiry, suggesting it's not central to the main issue or discussion. Ensure the context clearly indicates the relative insignificance of the question.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal question" when the issue at hand is actually significant. It can diminish the perceived importance of a valid concern, leading to misunderstandings or a lack of appropriate attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal question" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "marginal" modifies the noun "question". It specifies the type of question being asked, indicating it is of lesser importance. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal question" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a question of minor importance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English. While relatively rare, the phrase is appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. When using it, ensure the context supports the downplaying of the question's significance to avoid miscommunication. Alternative phrases like "minor question" or "secondary question" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Therefore, use "marginal question" when you intend to signal that an inquiry is not central to the discussion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minor question

Emphasizes the reduced importance of the question.

insignificant question

Highlights the lack of significance of the question.

secondary question

Indicates the question is not primary or of top priority.

peripheral question

Suggests the question is on the edge or not central.

unimportant question

Directly states the question's lack of importance.

trivial question

Highlights the question's lack of seriousness or depth.

minor inquiry

Uses 'inquiry' as a synonym for 'question', emphasizing its minor nature.

small question

Simple and direct way to express the reduced scale of the question.

incidental question

Indicates the question is related but not essential.

tangential question

Suggests the question deviates from the main point.

FAQs

What does "marginal question" mean?

A "marginal question" refers to a question that is not central or important to the main topic being discussed; it's of secondary significance.

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

You might say, "While the budget is important, whether we use blue or green paper for the report is a "minor question"."

What are some alternatives to "marginal question"?

Alternatives include "secondary question", "peripheral question", or "insignificant question". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "marginal question" formal or informal?

"Marginal question" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in professional or academic writing where nuanced distinctions are important.