relatively marginal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively marginal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not significant or important in comparison to other factors or elements. Example: "The impact of the new policy was relatively marginal, with little change observed in overall performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Relatively marginal pieces, these two, yet samples of Mr. Trevor's lifelong refusal to reduce life to an either-or.

The New York Times - Books

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a unique technique but remains relatively marginal.

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering

Often the overall impact is relatively marginal, but sometimes a reshuffle can make a government look noticeably different.

The Guardian

But despite a disproportionate impact on Democratic-leaning groups, the electoral consequences of voter ID seem relatively marginal.

The New York Times

In males, resources accrued during the juvenile phase had significant but relatively marginal effects on male mating and reproduction.

Animal Behaviour

Mr. Kostunica, who was a relatively marginal political figure and had no connection with Mr. Milosevic, is thought to have little to fear from the files.

The New York Times

At its inception, parental leave was a relatively marginal policy issue and Britain was still opting out of the EU directive for 13 weeks' unpaid parental leave.

The Guardian - Opinion

What makes the poem so novel is that Emma appears to have been relatively marginal in Mackinnon's life – never a lover and not consistently a close friend.

The Guardian - Books

"They fielded minority candidates in relatively marginal places, some of which were not very diverse," including Peterborough, Bedford, Warrington South and Battersea.

The Guardian

Simulation results stress that the obtained performance is sufficient to satisfy the environmental norms while keeping fuel consumption sub-optimality relatively marginal.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In their view, homeland influences are: 'relatively marginal to understanding patterns of migrant claims-making.

Comparative Migration Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "relatively marginal" with specific data or metrics to quantify the extent of marginality, making the statement more persuasive and informative.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively marginal" when the impact is actually significant. Ensure the evidence supports the claim of limited importance, otherwise, consider stronger language.

Linguistic Context

"Relatively marginal" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that something is of limited significance or impact in comparison to something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relatively marginal" is a versatile adjective phrase used to describe something of limited significance, particularly when compared to other factors. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. Its presence in diverse sources like The New York Times, The Guardian, and scientific journals underscores its acceptability in both neutral and formal contexts. When using "relatively marginal", remember to ensure the comparison is clear and supported by evidence, avoiding overstatements. Alternatives such as "somewhat insignificant" or "fairly minor" may be suitable depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance more directly than "relatively marginal".

fairly minor

Suggests a smaller degree of impact or consequence.

comparatively unimportant

Highlights the lack of importance in comparison to something else.

marginally relevant

Focuses on the limited connection or pertinence.

slightly peripheral

Indicates a position on the edge or outside of the main focus.

not particularly significant

Expresses a lack of notable importance or consequence.

of limited consequence

Emphasizes the restricted impact or outcome.

somewhat inconsequential

Suggests that something has little to no importance or effect.

rather modest

Implies a limited scale or degree.

relatively trivial

Indicates something is of little worth or importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively marginal" to describe something that has a limited impact or importance compared to something else. For example, "The increase in sales was "relatively marginal" compared to the previous year".

What are some alternatives to "relatively marginal"?

Some alternatives include "somewhat insignificant", "fairly minor", or "comparatively unimportant", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "relatively marginal"?

It's appropriate when you want to downplay the significance of something in comparison to another factor. It suggests that while something may exist or have occurred, its effect is limited or not particularly important.

What is the difference between "relatively marginal" and "insignificant"?

"Relatively marginal" implies a comparison and suggests something is small in relation to something else. "Insignificant", on the other hand, suggests a lack of importance in itself, without necessarily implying a direct comparison.