very marginal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very marginal" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a way to describe something as minimally present or of minimal significance. For example, you could say, "The reduction in prices was very marginal, amounting to only a few percentage points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They will become a very marginal outfit".

The New York Times

The arts were very marginal then.

The Guardian - Books

"Kinder Surprise's impact on obesity is very marginal," he said.

The New York Times - Health

More stuff only makes a very marginal difference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some of the members were very marginal musicians, indeed.

The New York Times

Let me stress that these are very marginal groups.

The New York Times

"It was a very marginal market before Katrina.

The New York Times - Sports

This was very marginal for fuel rich conditions.

Combustion and Flame

"Yeah, because we're in a very marginal seat.

Independent

Mr. Bopp called that "a very marginal interest".

The New York Times

And so, it may just be that India makes very marginal reductions.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very marginal" to accurately describe situations where the impact or difference is almost imperceptible. Avoid using it when the effect is clearly noticeable or significant.

Common error

Don't use "very marginal" when the effect is clearly noticeable or significant. This dilutes the impact of the phrase and can mislead the reader. Instead, reserve it for truly minimal effects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very marginal" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing the degree or extent of a noun. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something is minimally present or of minimal significance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very marginal" is an adjectival phrase used to describe something as minimally present or of minimal significance. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English. The analysis of usage patterns reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and scientific contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various audiences. While alternatives such as "very insignificant" and "very slight" exist, "very marginal" is a well-established way to express minimal impact. The best practice is to reserve its usage in scenarios where an effect or difference is almost imperceptible and avoid overstating insignificance by utilizing it when the effect is noticeable or significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very minimal

Directly refers to the small quantity or degree.

highly marginal

Intensifies the degree of being on the edge or periphery.

very negligible

Highlights how something can be disregarded due to its small impact.

extremely marginal

Similar to 'highly marginal' but with a stronger emphasis.

very minor

Highlights the lack of seriousness or consequence.

very insignificant

Emphasizes the lack of importance or consequence.

very slight

Emphasizes the subtlety or smallness of something.

very modest

Indicates a restrained or humble amount.

quite marginal

Softens the degree of being on the edge or periphery.

very secondary

Focuses on the importance level, implying lower significance.

FAQs

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

You can use "very marginal" to describe something that has a minimal effect or impact. For instance, "The improvement in sales was "very marginal", only increasing by 1%".

What are some alternatives to saying "very marginal"?

Alternatives include "very insignificant", "very slight", or "hardly noticeable". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "extremely marginal" instead of "very marginal"?

Yes, "extremely marginal" is grammatically correct and intensifies the meaning. However, ""very marginal"" is more commonly used.

What is the difference between "marginal" and "very marginal"?

"Marginal" indicates something is at the edge or barely sufficient. Adding "very" emphasizes that the effect or amount is even smaller and less significant.