of marginal interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "of marginal interest" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not very important or significant. Example: "The article contained a section about the history of the town, but it was only of marginal interest to readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

It's only ever going to be of marginal interest.

The Guardian

When Test matches become the equivalent of steam trains, evocative but of marginal interest, they will shift their money accordingly.

Independent

"This is not an outpost in the middle of nowhere that is of marginal interest," said Amanda J. Dory, the Pentagon's deputy assistant secretary for Africa.

Independent

The delusions of a penurious science fiction writer might seem of marginal interest, except that Philip K. Dick was not just any science fiction writer.

The New York Times - Books

The study of kinship came under attack not just from feminist and gender scholars but also from those who considered it a subject of marginal interest compared with politics or religion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For the most part, however, intercalation has been of marginal interest given the prevailing notion that binding of small molecules to protein receptors is largely responsible for governing biological function.

Mutation Research-Fundamental and Molecular Mechanisms of Mutagenesis

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The dregs of the big fields are often of only marginal interest to the big firms, which prefer chasing bigger and easier finds in other parts of the world such as the Gulf of Mexico or west Africa.

The Economist

If data journalism is traditionally a long drawn-out affair - resulting in analysis of only marginal interest – the riots highlighted a new type of data work.

The Guardian

In archaeological literature, the study of trees and wood remains is a topic of relatively marginal interest, especially compared to texts on crops and human animal relations.

Journal of Anthropological Archaeology

While signalling that this is "an issue to which the committee will return", and declaring itself "sympathetic to the cause of greater personalisation", the committee portrays this as if it was a new idea of some marginal interest.

The Guardian

Most standard accounts of book publishing deal with jackets in a few paragraphs, as if they were of only marginal interest or importance.

Johns Hopkins University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "of marginal interest" to politely downplay the importance of a topic without dismissing it entirely.

Common error

While acceptable, "of marginal interest" can sound dismissive in very formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "of lesser importance" for a more neutral tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "of marginal interest" functions as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, indicating that the noun is not very important or significant. As Ludwig AI states, it indicates a low level of importance or relevance. The phrase indicates the degree to which something is interesting or important.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "of marginal interest" is a grammatically sound and acceptable way to express that something is not particularly important or significant. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English. It appears most frequently in news, media, and scientific contexts. To avoid potential overuse, consider using semantically similar phrases such as "of little consequence" or "of minor importance". Keep in mind that, while generally neutral, it's preferable to use alternatives in formal environments. Overall, "of marginal interest" serves as a useful tool for politely indicating the relative unimportance of something in writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsequential

Directly states that something lacks importance.

of little consequence

Focuses on the lack of importance or impact.

of minor importance

Highlights the reduced significance of the subject.

of slight relevance

Emphasizes the tenuous connection to the matter at hand.

of secondary importance

Puts more focus on the relative significance compared to other elements.

hardly noteworthy

Indicates a lack of remarkable qualities.

scarcely significant

Stresses the limited impact or effect.

of limited concern

Highlights the lack of worry or attention it warrants.

not a priority

Directly states its low status in terms of importance.

peripheral

Implies being on the edge or outside the main focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "of marginal interest" to describe something that isn't particularly important or significant in a specific context. For example, "The details of the contract were "of marginal interest" to the new employee".

What can I say instead of "of marginal interest"?

Alternatives to "of marginal interest" include phrases like "of little importance", "of minor significance", or simply "inconsequential" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "with marginal interest" instead of "of marginal interest"?

No, "with marginal interest" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrasing. The correct and commonly used phrase is ""of marginal interest"".

What's the difference between "of little interest" and "of marginal interest"?

While similar, "of little interest" suggests something is uninteresting, while ""of marginal interest"" implies something has very little importance or relevance in a specific context.