marginally

marginally — adverb

1. to a very small degree, often so small that the change or difference is barely n

1.副詞B2
釋義

to a very small degree, often so small that the change or difference is barely noticeable or is at the very edge of what can be measured.

例句

The new smartphone model is marginally faster than last year's version.

marginally + comparative adjective

Faisal's score on the final exam was marginally higher than his midterm result.

同義詞
  • slightly

    more neutral in register and far more common in everyday speech

  • somewhat

    vaguer and often used to hedge or soften a statement; similar register to 'marginally'

  • a little

    informal; less precise and rarely used in formal written analysis

反義詞
  • significantly

    opposite end of the degree scale — implies a large or meaningful amount

  • substantially

    opposite end; suggests a considerable, noticeable difference

文法句型

marginally + comparative adjective

marginally + past participle

verb + marginally

marginally + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Commonly modifies comparative adjectives (e.g. better, cheaper, faster) and past participles (e.g. improved, reduced). More formal than the near-synonym 'slightly'; best suited for written reports, evaluations, and data analysis rather than casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The price is marginal better.
✅The price is marginally better.
💡the adverb 'marginally' is needed to modify the adjective 'better', not the adjective 'marginal'.
❌Sales marginal increased.
✅Sales increased marginally.
💡'marginally' must come before the adjective or after the verb it modifies; it cannot replace the adjective form.