Literary notes about marginally (AI summary)
In literature, "marginally" often establishes a sense of subtle, almost imperceptible deviation from a standard or expectation. It can temper a character’s involvement to indicate that even when an action or outcome occurs, its impact is slight—as when someone participates only marginally in a conflict ([1]) or when progress such as economic growth is only marginally improved ([2]). Its use extends to translations and annotations, where it signifies that an interpretation or detail differs only slightly from the original meaning ([3], [4]). Additionally, it underscores minimal success or barely sufficient functionality, whether in behavior ([5]) or in technological performance ([6]), thereby enriching the narrative with layers of nuance and precision.
- And Sara was too valuable to get involved in the conflict, even so marginally.
— from The Alembic Plot: A Terran Empire novel by Ann Wilson - GDP growth probably will rise marginally in 2004, led by oil and natural gas exports.
— from The 2004 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency - 12, where “master, and scholar,” in the text, is marginally translated, “him that waketh, and him that answereth.”
— from The Romance of the London Directory by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley - One perfect picture, marginally annotated, so to speak, in the speculations which it calls forth, is 'The Organ-Boy.'
— from Gycia: A Tragedy in Five Acts by Lewis Morris - He got his underwear and his book bag from the locker and dressed himself marginally.
— from Tokyo to Tijuana: Gabriele Departing America by Steven David Justin Sills - one that is buggy or only marginally functional.
— from The Jargon File, Version 2.9.10, 01 Jul 1992
