What is marginally? Pronunciation and usage in English

marginally means . Learn how to pronounce and use marginally through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of marginally

marginallyadverb

/ˈmɑːdʒɪnəli//ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəli/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "marginally." It can be tricky for some learners! Here's a breakdown with phonetic transcriptions and tips:

1. Phonetic Transcription (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

/ˈmɑːr.dʒɪ.nə.li/

Let's break that down piece by piece:

  • ˈmɑːr: (stress on this syllable) - "mar" - The "a" is a broad, open "ah" sound, like in "father." Think of it as distinct from the "a" in "cat."
  • dʒɪ: - "j" as in "jump," followed by a "ih" sound, like in "bit." (The “j” sound is often a little softer in American English.)
  • nə: - "nuh" - a short, unstressed "uh" sound, like in "about."
  • li: - "lee" - a short, unstressed "i" sound, like in "sit."

2. How to Say It - Step-by-Step:

  1. Start with "mar": Say "mar" with a broad "ah" sound like in "father."
  2. Add "j": Immediately follow “mar” with the “j” sound, as in “jump.”
  3. Say "ih": Then say "ih," like in the word "bit".
  4. Say "nuh": Next, say "nuh" – a short, quick “uh” sound.
  5. End with "lee": Finally, add “lee” – a short "i" sound, like in "sit."

Putting it all together: Mar-juh-nuh-lee

3. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable: /ˈmɑːr/. This is crucial – if you don’t stress it correctly, it'll sound very different.
  • "j" sound: The "j" is often slightly softer in American English than in British English. Don’t overemphasize it; it's a subtle sound.
  • Short Vowels: Be sure to pronounce the vowels as short sounds (as in “about” and “sit”). Don’t let them stretch out.
  • Listen to Examples: This is very important. Here are some resources where you can hear native speakers pronounce it:
    • Google Translate: Type "marginally" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (This gives you a pretty accurate pronunciation.)
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/marginally/ - This website has pronunciations from many different native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce marginally" on YouTube. You’ll find many videos.

To help me give you an even more personalized response, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (e.g., United States, United Kingdom, Australia) – Pronunciation can vary slightly depending on the accent.

Usage and examples with the word marginally in English

Let's break down how to use the word "marginally" in English. It's a useful word to add nuance and precision to your writing and speech.

1. Core Meaning:

"Marginally" means "slightly" or "to a small degree." It indicates that something is different from nothing, but the difference is very small and often hard to notice.

2. How to Use It – Common Collocations & Examples:

Here's how you can incorporate "marginally" into sentences:

  • Describing Changes/Differences: This is its most common use.

    • "The price of the house increased marginally after the renovations." (The increase was small.)
    • "Her mood seemed marginally better this morning." (It wasn't a huge improvement.)
    • “Sales were marginally up from last quarter.” (A small increase)
    • “The temperature dropped marginally overnight.” (Not a significant drop.)

  • With Adjectives: Combining it with adjectives strengthens the sense of slightness.

    • "He was marginally better than his opponent." (Just a little bit better.)
    • "The painting was marginally damaged." (Only very slightly damaged.)
    • “The data showed a marginally positive trend.” (A small, positive trend)

  • With Verbs (often with "to be"):

    • "The results were marginally significant." (The significance was small.)
    • "The difference was marginally noticeable." (It was difficult to see the difference.)
    • “The impact was marginally felt.” (A slight effect)

3. Important Considerations and Nuances:

  • Emphasis on Smallness: “Marginally” always implies a small difference. Don't use it if you mean "significantly" or "considerably."

  • Contrast with “Dramatically” or “Substantially”: These words indicate much larger changes.

  • It Can Be Subtle: "Marginally" often subtly implies that the difference might be almost undetectable or unimportant. (Be careful with this - sometimes a small difference is important!)

  • Formal Tone: "Marginally" is generally considered a more formal word than "slightly" or "a little."

4. Synonyms (Alternatives):

  • Slightly
  • A little
  • Barely
  • Hardly
  • To a small extent
  • To a small degree

5. Examples in Context (Putting it All Together):

  • “The company reported marginally increased profits, which were overshadowed by rising costs.”
  • “Although the candidate received marginally more votes than his opponent, the election was too close to call.”
  • "The experiment yielded marginally different results, requiring further investigation."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say? (e.g., a report, an email, a conversation, etc.)
  • Can you give me a sentence where you're considering using "marginally"? I can then suggest the best way to incorporate it.

Comment ()