a substantial margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a substantial margin" is correctly formed and is commonly used in written English.
Example sentence: The candidate won by a substantial margin.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And wrong by a substantial margin.

The Guardian

The Council overrode the veto by a substantial margin.

The New Yorker

In fact, the US remains the world's largest national economy by a substantial margin.

The Guardian - Business

Democrats will still control the House by a substantial margin through 2010.

The Guardian

Early returns showed that the measure losing by a substantial margin.

The New York Times

Mr. Morgan lost to Mr. Cook in a previous race by a substantial margin.

The New York Times

Sedna is, by a substantial margin, the most distant object yet seen in the solar system.

The Economist

The general elections of 1950 returned Vargas to power by a substantial margin.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The training "improved my P.B.'s by a substantial margin," he said, referring to personal bests, his best performances.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Dukakis, a Democrat, led Governor Bush's father by a substantial margin for months but faltered after the conventions.

The New York Times

But in the race last Sunday, whose results were announced on Tuesday, the PRI lost by a substantial margin.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing numerical data, provide specific figures alongside the phrase "a substantial margin" to enhance clarity and provide quantifiable context.

Common error

Avoid using "a substantial margin" when the difference is only slight or insignificant. Ensure that the context truly reflects a noteworthy degree of separation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a substantial margin" functions as an adverbial modifier, often used to quantify the degree or extent of a difference, victory, or advantage. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a substantial margin" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a significant difference or advantage. As shown by Ludwig, it commonly appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context genuinely reflects a notable difference to avoid overstatement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence in various written sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a considerable difference

Focuses on the size of the difference, rather than the context of winning or losing.

a significant advantage

Highlights the beneficial aspect of the difference.

a marked contrast

Emphasizes the clear distinction between two things.

a clear lead

Implies a position of dominance, often in a competition.

a wide gap

Focuses on the distance between two points or values.

a comfortable victory

Indicates an easy win without much struggle.

a decisive win

Indicates a clear and uncontested victory.

a noteworthy disparity

Stresses the inequality or imbalance between two things.

a generous surplus

Refers to an abundant amount or excess.

an overwhelming majority

Highlights the large proportion of people in agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "a substantial margin" to describe a significant difference in quantities or degrees, for example: "The winning candidate secured the election by "a substantial margin"."

What are some alternatives to "a substantial margin"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "a considerable difference", "a significant advantage", or "a clear lead", depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to use "a substantial margin" when describing a victory?

No, "a substantial margin" should only be used when the victory is indeed significant. If the win is narrow, other phrases like "a narrow victory" or "a close call" would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "a substantial margin" and "a slight edge"?

"A substantial margin" indicates a large difference, whereas "a slight edge" suggests a minimal advantage. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.