marginal variation

USAGE SUMMARY

"marginal variation" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a very small change or difference between two things. For example, "The new design features only marginal variation from the original."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

They were adept at making stone tools, though they seem to have spent tens of thousands of years making the same tools over and over, with only marginal variation.

The New Yorker

There was a decrease in P content from 13 to 10 wt.% with a marginal variation in the incorporated W (1.01 wt.%) due to the codeposition of aluminum oxide particles in NiWP matrix.

Surface and Coatings Technology

Moreover, the devices containing Zeolite molecular sieve show remarkable enhancement of the thermal stability at 60 °C for a period of 1200 hours under dark condition with a marginal variation of performance.

Electrochimica Acta

This shift can easily be attributed to a marginal variation in dot sizes.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Step precision winding produces a yarn package that is free from ribbon formation and marginal variation in coil angle.

Fashion and Textiles

Experimental results are similar to the KCl system with a marginal variation of fluid loss at optimum concentration.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Little by little movies become more and more similar to each other, with marginal variations.

The Guardian - Film

Printed texts with marginal variations and facsimiles of probably all but three manuscripts.

Yale University

Near-IR photometry gives J = 8.78, H = 8.53 and K = 7.96; these values show marginal variations from earlier reported measurements.

Advances in Space Research

By contrast, most of other metal ions caused only marginal variations in the optical properties of the fluorescent reagent.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

In batch galvanostatic experiments for single polymeric compounds, the rate of COD reduction showed marginal variations in spite of the large difference in reactivity with the RCS.

Catalysis Today

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marginal variation" when you want to emphasize that the difference or change you are describing is small and relatively unimportant. This phrase is suitable for technical or scientific writing where precision is valued.

Common error

Avoid using "marginal variation" when the difference or change is actually significant. This can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your writing. Use stronger terms like "significant difference" or "substantial change" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal variation" functions as a descriptive term, modifying a noun to indicate that the difference or change being discussed is small or insignificant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal variation" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe small or insignificant differences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable and correct phrase. Predominantly found in scientific and technical writing, it serves to qualify changes without emphasizing their impact. Alternatives include ""slight difference"" and "negligible change". When using this phrase, ensure that the variation is truly marginal to avoid misleading your audience. The phrase exhibits common usage, particularly in scientific contexts, denoting its relevance and applicability in specific domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight difference

Focuses on the difference being small rather than the act of varying.

minor alteration

Highlights the act of altering something slightly.

negligible change

Emphasizes that the change is so small it's almost not worth considering.

minimal deviation

Indicates a very small departure from a norm or standard.

small fluctuation

Suggests a slight and irregular variation.

modest shift

Implies a change in direction or position that is not substantial.

inconsequential modification

Indicates that the change is not important or significant.

limited variability

Emphasizes that the range of variation is small.

trivial difference

Highlights that the difference is not worth worrying about.

superficial alteration

Suggests that the change is only on the surface and doesn't affect the core.

FAQs

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

Use "marginal variation" to describe minor differences or changes that don't significantly impact the overall outcome or result. For example: "The updated software exhibits only a "slight difference" in performance compared to the previous version".

What are some alternatives to using "marginal variation" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can replace "marginal variation" with phrases like ""slight difference"", "minor alteration", or "negligible change".

Is it better to say "marginal variation" or "minor variation"?

Both "marginal variation" and "minor variation" are grammatically correct. "Marginal" emphasizes that the variation is at the edge or limit of significance, while "minor" simply indicates that it is small or not very important. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "marginal variation" and "significant variation"?

"Marginal variation" indicates a very small and often unimportant difference, whereas "significant variation" implies a noteworthy and impactful difference. The choice depends on the degree of change you wish to highlight.