marginal value

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal value" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe when something has little or no real worth or impact, especially when compared to another item or factor. For example, "The marginal value of the painting was barely noticed in the auction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It could also be of marginal value".

The New York Times

"There's only marginal value in a face-to-face meeting".

The New York Times

Web ads, however, are only of marginal value.

The New York Times

Spinning out BAE's North American business would create marginal value in our view.

The Guardian - Business

The discount card is "of very, very marginal value," Mr. Daschle said.

The New York Times

It's the heaviest of recyclables but has always been of marginal value as a commodity.

The Guardian

But, because water is plentiful and diamonds are scarce, the marginal value of a pound of diamonds exceeds the marginal value of a pound of water.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Rather, they opted for cheap, multiple-choice tests of marginal value.

The New York Times

That would dramatically improve the economics of recycling items of marginal value, such as yogurt pots.

The Economist

Or perhaps the researchers (and the participants) greatly overestimated the additional marginal value of each chocolate.

The Economist

Marginal value, however, is a tricky concept to bring into environmental analysis.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic concepts, use "marginal value" to precisely describe the incremental benefit or cost of an additional unit or action. This provides a nuanced understanding compared to general terms like 'value' or 'benefit'.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal value" when you actually mean total value. "Marginal value" refers to the change in value from one additional unit or action, not the overall value of something. For example, don't say 'The marginal value of this house is $500,000' if you mean the total value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal value" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often used in economics and business contexts. It describes the incremental worth or utility derived from an additional unit of a good or service. Ludwig confirms that "marginal value" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal value" is a noun phrase widely used to describe the incremental worth derived from an additional unit of something, particularly in economic contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered correct and usable. It appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources and serves the purpose of conveying a specific economic concept to facilitate discussions about decisions and behaviors. When writing, remember that "marginal value" refers to the change in value, not the total value. Related phrases include "limited value" and "small worth", but these may not be appropriate in all contexts. This analysis, based on numerous real-world examples, offers clear guidance on the use of "marginal value" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

limited value

Emphasizes the restriction of the value.

small worth

Focuses on the insignificant monetary or intrinsic worth.

minor significance

Highlights the low level of importance or consequence.

negligible impact

Stresses the lack of noticeable effect or influence.

minimal utility

Focuses on the limited usefulness or practicality.

reduced importance

Highlights a decrease in how important something is.

inconsequential effect

Emphasizes the lack of significant outcome or result.

slight benefit

Focuses on the small amount of advantage gained.

trivial consequence

Highlights the unimportance of the result or outcome.

insignificant contribution

Emphasizes the lack of meaningful addition or input.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal value" to discuss the additional satisfaction or utility gained from consuming one more unit of a good or service. For example, "The "marginal value" of the second chocolate bar is less than the first".

What is the difference between "marginal value" and total value?

"Marginal value" refers to the incremental value of one additional unit or action, while total value represents the overall worth of all units or actions combined. The "marginal value" can decrease as consumption increases, while total value generally rises.

What are some synonyms for "marginal value"?

Alternatives to "marginal value" include "limited value", "small worth", or "minor significance". The best choice depends on the specific context and the aspect of limited worth you want to emphasize.

In economics, how is "marginal value" used?

In economics, "marginal value" is essential for understanding consumer behavior and making optimal decisions. It helps determine how much of a good or service a consumer is willing to purchase at a given price, and it guides businesses in setting prices and production levels.