marginal shift

[MAR-jin-ul SHIFT]
nounpl: marginal shifts
mudança marginal
1. A small or minor change in position, status, or condition, typically at the edges or borders of a system or category
The election resulted in only a marginal shift in voter preferences.
A eleição resultou em apenas uma mudança marginal nas preferências dos eleitores.
2. In economics, a small change in quantity or value relative to a baseline or reference point
A marginal shift in prices could affect consumer demand.
Uma mudança marginal nos preços pode afetar a demanda do consumidor.
3. In sociology and demographics, a movement of populations or groups to peripheral or less central positions
The study examined the marginal shift of rural populations toward urban centers.
O estudo examinou a mudança marginal das populações rurais em direção aos centros urbanos.
The term 'marginal shift' is primarily used in academic, economic, and sociological contexts in both Brazilian and American English. In Brazil, it appears frequently in economics courses and urban planning discussions. The concept relates to the country's ongoing discussions about social mobility and urbanization. In the USA, it's common in political analysis and economic commentary, particularly during election cycles and market assessments.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
slight changeminor shiftincremental changeperipheral movementboundary change
Antonyms / Antônimos
major shiftdramatic changeradical transformationfundamental change

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mudança marginal
Standard term used in academic and business contexts
São Paulo
mudança marginal / deslocamento marginal
Common in economic and urban planning discussions
Rio de Janeiro
mudança marginal
Used similarly to São Paulo in technical contexts
Portugal
deslocamento marginal / mudança marginal
Less commonly used; typically 'pequena alteração' is preferred in casual speech

Related Words

marginalshifttransitiondisplacementmovementperipheryincrementadjustment

Related Idioms & Phrases

on the margins
push to the margins
marginal gains
at the edge of change
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