a slim margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slim margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a small difference or gap between two amounts, scores, or outcomes. Example: "The election was decided by a slim margin, with only a few hundred votes separating the candidates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That measure passed by a slim margin.

The New York Times

Mr. Wellstone won by a slim margin.

The New York Times

o Stockholder approval was by a slim margin.

Columbia University

The state law was enacted by a slim margin.

The New York Times

She lost the election by a slim margin.

The New York Times

And Parliament passed it by a slim margin.

The New York Times

She won Indiana by a slim margin, 51%to49%9%.

The Guardian

The machinists accepted the plan by a slim margin.

The New York Times

The unaffiliated stockholders approved the merger by only a slim margin (51.3%).

Columbia University

The botched convention helped him lose the presidency by a slim margin.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The scraped-in-by-a-slim-margin politician, having taken office, still won power.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a slim margin" when you want to emphasize how close a result or difference was. It's suitable for elections, sports, or any competitive situation where the outcome was nearly tied.

Common error

Don't assume that "a slim margin" implies unimportance. Even small differences can have significant consequences, especially in crucial decisions or events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slim margin" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically modifies a verb, describing the manner in which something was won, lost, or decided. Ludwig examples showcase it describing election results, legislative votes, and even sports outcomes. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slim margin" is a commonly used phrase to describe a result or difference that is very close. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase serves to emphasize the narrowness of victory or defeat, and is useful across a broad range of writing styles, as evidenced by the plentiful examples. When you need to highlight how close something was, "a slim margin" is a precise and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a razor-thin difference

Highlights how incredibly small the separation between two values is.

a marginal victory

Stresses the minimal nature of the win.

a slight edge

Highlights a minimal advantage or benefit.

a narrow lead

Focuses on the idea of a slight advantage in a competition or election.

a hairline gap

Implies a very small and almost imperceptible difference.

a whisker

Indicates something was achieved or missed by a very small amount.

a close call

Emphasizes the near-equality of outcomes, suggesting a situation where the result could have easily been different.

a close shave

Suggests narrowly avoiding a negative outcome, similar to a close call.

a fine line

Highlights the delicate balance or small distinction between two options or outcomes.

a shade

Emphasizes a very small degree or amount by which something differs.

FAQs

How can I use "a slim margin" in a sentence?

You can use "a slim margin" to describe situations where the difference between two results is small. For example, "The bill passed by "a slim margin" in the Senate".

What's a good alternative to "a slim margin"?

Alternatives include "a narrow margin", "a slight edge", or "a marginal victory". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a slim margin of error"?

While "a slim margin" usually refers to a close result, "margin of error" is a statistical term related to accuracy. So, it's not typically used together. You can instead use "a small margin of error".

How does "a slim margin" differ from "a landslide victory"?

"A slim margin" implies a close contest, while "a landslide victory" suggests a decisive and overwhelming win. They represent opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of result closeness.