a leeway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a leeway" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the amount of freedom or flexibility allowed in a situation or decision-making process. Example: "The manager gave the team a leeway in their project deadlines to accommodate unforeseen challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Clairaut was finally able to predict in the fall of 1758 that Halley's Comet would reach perihelion in April 1759, with a leeway of one month.

Britannica

She paid the equivalent of $100, and received from him a receipt for $60, giving herself a leeway of $40 for other duty-free purchases.

The New Yorker

The cull is happening to try to make all the new seats, apart from a handful of exceptions, contain somewhere near the average number of voters, a figure of 74,679, with a leeway of just 5% above or below.

The Guardian

It deadlocked, 7-7, on a plan calling for a 50-50 split of male and female athletes, regardless of the student body makeup, with a leeway of 2 to 3 percentage points.

The New York Times - Sports

He is 23 years old, plays for Ajax in the Netherlands, and he had to know there was a leeway in the law of soccer that allowed him to take a red card, an automatic expulsion and banishment from at least the next match.

The New York Times

In a general way, they are based on correlations with Egypt, where, from the beginning of the Early Dynastic period (c. 2925 bc onward), a historical chronology can be established with a leeway of a few centuries and can be fixed within reasonably narrow limits after about 2000 bc.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But a little leeway for a huge Hollywood veteran in front of a global audience might have been more suitable".

Independent

So I presume they have a greater leeway to be a little more generous".

The New York Times

Now with Messenger approaching a billion users, Facebook has a little leeway.

TechCrunch

But I want to give ourselves a little leeway in case he needs an extra day.

The New York Times - Sports

When you're eating 18 dinners a week, I figure you deserve a little leeway".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a leeway", ensure the context clearly defines what is being allowed or the extent of the flexibility being granted. For example, "The project manager provided the team with "a leeway" of one week on the deadline."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a leeway" grants unlimited freedom. Always specify the boundaries or limitations of the flexibility provided. Do not say: "The employee has "a leeway" in completing the task". Instead, specify "The employee has "a leeway" to work remotely two days a week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a leeway" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition (e.g., "with a leeway of") or as a complement to a verb (e.g., "gives a leeway"). Ludwig examples show it indicating a permissible degree of variation or flexibility within specified limits.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a leeway" is a noun phrase that indicates a degree of flexibility or tolerance within specific limits. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, it is grammatically correct and most commonly used in news and media contexts, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. It's important to define the scope of the leeway to avoid ambiguity, and to maintain a formal or neutral tone. While other related phrases such as "some flexibility" or "a margin for error" exist, "a leeway" offers a distinct way to communicate the idea of permissible variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

some flexibility

Highlights adaptability and the ability to change plans or approaches.

an allowance

Points to a permitted deviation or variance.

a degree of latitude

Emphasizes the freedom to act or decide a certain way, similar to navigational freedom.

a certain latitude

Emphasizes freedom from narrow restrictions.

room to maneuver

Suggests available options and the ability to navigate within constraints.

a permissible variation

Highlights the possibility of acceptable differences in something.

a margin for error

Focuses on acknowledging potential mistakes and having space to correct them.

a scope for variation

Highlights possibility of different approaches.

some breathing space

Implies relief from pressure or constraints, allowing for more relaxed action.

a range of options

Highlights multiple available choices.

FAQs

How can I use "a leeway" in a sentence?

You can use "a leeway" to indicate the amount of freedom or flexibility allowed in a situation. For example, "The central bank's target is 4.5%, with "a leeway" of plus or minus two percentage points."

What phrases are similar in meaning to "a leeway"?

Similar phrases include "some flexibility", "a margin for error", or "room to maneuver". All of them refer to the scope for variation or freedom within certain constraints.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a leeway"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Leeway" is a noun, and the article "a" is used when referring to a non-specific instance of it. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

In what contexts is "a leeway" commonly used?

"A leeway" is often used in contexts involving project management, policy making, sports, and general planning where some degree of flexibility or tolerance is required. Ludwig examples show its use in news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles.