a comfortable lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a comfortable lead" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone or something is ahead in a competition or situation, suggesting a secure or advantageous position. Example: "The team maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game, ensuring their victory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ms Lincoln has a comfortable lead in the polls.

The Economist

Most polls show Mr. Amodei with a comfortable lead.

The New York Times

He maintains a comfortable lead in public opinion polls.

The New York Times

Mussina against the Twins with a comfortable lead?

The New York Times - Sports

And polls showed Mr. Suozzi with a comfortable lead.

The New York Times

But that is hardly a comfortable lead at this stage in the campaign.

The Economist

Polls had showed Ms. Murkowski with a comfortable lead throughout the spring and summer.

The New York Times

Kelly Slater, the world champion, had enjoyed a comfortable lead to that point.

The New York Times

In 2000 Al Gore threw away a comfortable lead in opinion polls with woeful performances.

The Economist

Mr. Chávez has a comfortable lead over Mr. Capriles in nearly all polls.

The New York Times

They had enjoyed a comfortable lead, but one bad session brought the chasers back into contention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a lead, consider whether "comfortable" accurately reflects the situation. If the lead is large and secure, "comfortable" is appropriate. If the lead is small and precarious, another adjective might be more accurate.

Common error

Avoid using "a comfortable lead" when the advantage is actually quite small or easily overcome. Overstating the security can create a false sense of confidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a comfortable lead" functions as a noun phrase, where "comfortable" modifies the noun "lead". It describes the state of being ahead by a significant and secure margin, indicating a favorable position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Sports

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a comfortable lead" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe a situation where someone or something is ahead by a significant and seemingly secure margin. As Ludwig shows, it's most frequently used in news and sports contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the lead is genuinely substantial and that "comfortable" is an accurate descriptor. Consider alternatives like "a significant advantage" or "a commanding position" if a different nuance is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a safe margin

Similar to 'comfortable lead' but emphasizes safety and security.

a significant advantage

Replaces 'comfortable' with 'significant', emphasizing the degree of advantage.

a secure advantage

Emphasizes the safety and stability of the lead.

a commanding position

Focuses on the control implied by the lead, rather than its ease.

a substantial margin

Replaces 'lead' with 'margin', highlighting the numerical difference in the lead.

a healthy advantage

Suggests the lead is robust and likely to endure.

a decisive edge

Highlights the impact of the lead in determining the outcome.

a dominant advantage

Highlights the superiority granted by the lead.

a winning head start

Focuses on the initial advantage that sets someone up for success.

a clear head start

Focuses on the unambiguity of the initial advantage

FAQs

How can I use "a comfortable lead" in a sentence?

You can use "a comfortable lead" to describe a situation where someone or something is ahead by a significant margin, for example: "The team maintained "a comfortable lead" throughout the second half."

What can I say instead of "a comfortable lead"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant advantage", "a commanding position", or "a substantial margin depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a comfortable lead" or "a comfortably lead"?

"A comfortable lead" is correct. "Comfortable" is an adjective describing the noun "lead". "Comfortably" is an adverb and would be used to describe a verb.

What's the difference between "a comfortable lead" and "a narrow lead"?

"A comfortable lead" suggests a significant and secure advantage, while "a narrow lead" indicates a small and potentially precarious advantage.