of marginal importance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of marginal importance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not very significant or has little impact in a given context. Example: "While the report contains several interesting points, many of them are of marginal importance to the overall findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

This sort of "intelligence" would be of marginal importance but, arguably, not entirely useless.

The New Yorker

The illegal Communist Party, formed in 1918, was of marginal importance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Reports such as Liberating the NHS paint the regulation of human remains as an issue of marginal importance for the NHS.

The Guardian

If you are heatedly debating food choices with a companion when someone of marginal importance tries to call you, the phone will know better than to interrupt.

The New York Times - Tech

Although the narrative is not altogether free from whimsical elements, they are of marginal importance to what is, at heart, a subtle and moving examination of the dilemma faced by immigrants to modern Britain.

The Guardian - Books

The environmental criterion is of marginal importance to all populations.

Materials & Design

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Daoism is also characterized by a positive, active attitude toward the occult and the metaphysical (theories on the nature of reality), whereas the agnostic, pragmatic Confucian tradition considers these issues of only marginal importance, although the reality of such issues is, by most Confucians, not denied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sarah Palin will not accept being a "lame duck," by which she means, "have a few years left in my very first term in an office of even marginal importance".

Huffington Post

The absence of such a relationship could be taken as further evidence for the marginal importance of grooming as a group cohesion mechanism.

Communicative and Integrative Biology

All of the remaining SNPs have marginal importance scores which are suggestive of involvement, but less definitive.

BioData Mining

The biology underlying this different effect remains unknown, and the practical implication of the finding is a marginal importance.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "of marginal importance", consider the context. Ensure that stating the lack of importance adds value to your argument or analysis, rather than simply dismissing a point without consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "of marginal importance" when the subject actually holds some significance. Ensure your assessment of its limited impact is accurate and justifiable; otherwise, you risk undermining your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of marginal importance" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating the degree to which something is significant or consequential. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples show its common use in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "of marginal importance" is a useful tool for indicating that something has limited significance within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various domains, particularly in science, news, and encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure that your assessment of its limited impact is accurate and adds value to your argument. While alternatives like "of little consequence" or "relatively unimportant" exist, "of marginal importance" offers a nuanced way to downplay an aspect without completely dismissing it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

of little consequence

Emphasizes the lack of significant impact or outcome.

of minor significance

Highlights the reduced importance or value of something.

of slight relevance

Focuses on the limited connection or pertinence to a particular matter.

not particularly important

A straightforward way of saying something lacks significance.

relatively unimportant

Indicates importance is lower compared to other factors.

of secondary priority

Highlights that something is less urgent than other matters.

of limited value

Emphasizes the restricted usefulness or benefit of something.

hardly matters

A more informal way to convey a lack of importance.

scarcely relevant

Highlights the limited connection or pertinence to a particular matter.

virtually inconsequential

Stresses that something has almost no impact.

FAQs

How can I use "of marginal importance" in a sentence?

You can use "of marginal importance" to indicate that something has little significance or impact in a particular context. For example: "The budget cuts were "of marginal importance" compared to the overall economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to saying "of marginal importance"?

Alternatives include "of little consequence", "of minor significance", or "relatively unimportant". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "of marginal importance" in formal writing?

Yes, "of marginal importance" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to express that something has limited significance. However, ensure the assessment of marginality is accurate and justified.

What's the difference between "of marginal importance" and "unimportant"?

"Of marginal importance" suggests something has a slight degree of importance, but not much. "Unimportant" is a stronger term suggesting something has virtually no importance at all. The phrase "of marginal importance" is suitable when you don't want to completely dismiss the subject.