a tenth of a point

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tenth of a point" is a perfectly acceptable and correct phrase to use in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate a small fraction of something. For example: "This decision is important, and we are allocating a tenth of a point to its outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

But the unemployment rate rose by a tenth of a point to 8.3 percent.

The New York Times

She finished third, slightly more than a tenth of a point out of second place.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet it also showed the unemployment rate tick up a tenth of a point, to 7.9 per cent.

Independent

"It's still a tenth of a point below the national rate," said the state's labor commissioner, Mel Gelade.

The New York Times

Its rating with the advertiser-preferred 18- to 49-year-old crowd dropped just a tenth of a point, to 4.1.

The New York Times

Rates in the Northeast, which are often a tenth of a point or more above the national level, were on average the same as those across the nation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

In last week's standings, Wisconsin placed seventh with a substantial five-hundredths-of-a-point lead over Ohio State.

The New York Times - Sports

But when your hold on young males starts at a minuscule level, a two-tenths-of-a-point increase amounts to a big leap up to Tinyville.

The New York Times - Sports

A percentage-point reduction in the federal funds rate has been associated with a move of a fifth of a point away from the ECB's optimum.

The Economist

He estimates that a one-point increase in the unemployment rate predicts a drop in the mortality rate of a third of a point.

The Economist

Until that point Tinkler's 14.933 – a third of a point above her qualification score – had been unexpectedly leading the board.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on data, especially in finance or sports, use "a tenth of a point" to convey small but potentially significant changes in values or scores.

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of "a tenth of a point" when the context doesn't warrant it. A small difference may not always be meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tenth of a point" functions as a quantifying adjective modifying a noun. It specifies a small increment or fraction of a whole point, often used to denote a minor change or difference. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a tenth of a point" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a small increment, especially in reporting numerical data. Ludwig AI confirms its prevalent use across News & Media, sports, and business domains. While its primary function is to provide precision, it's important to consider the context to avoid overstating its significance. Alternatives include "a small fraction of a unit" or "a marginal amount", depending on the intended nuance. Its frequent usage makes it a valuable phrase for clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small fraction of a unit

This alternative broadens the context beyond points, referring to any small part of a measurable quantity.

a marginal amount

Emphasizes the insignificance of the quantity.

a fraction of a degree

Specifies the unit as a degree, suitable for angular measurements or temperature.

a shade

Implies a slight difference or degree, often used in comparative contexts.

a negligible quantity

Highlights that the quantity is so small it can be ignored.

an insignificant margin

Highlights the unimportance of the difference.

a hair's breadth

Uses a common idiom to describe a very small distance or difference.

a tad

Informal way of saying "a little bit".

a scintilla

Refers to a tiny amount, often used in legal or formal contexts.

a smidgen

Similar to "a tad", indicating a very small amount.

FAQs

How is "a tenth of a point" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "a tenth of a point" is commonly used to describe a minor change or difference, especially in statistics, ratings, or scores. For example: "The unemployment rate rose by "a tenth of a point"."

What are some alternatives to saying "a tenth of a point"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a small fraction of a unit", "a marginal amount", or "a negligible quantity". These highlight the smallness of the change.

Is it always necessary to specify "a tenth of a point"?

No, it is not always necessary. If the exact amount is not crucial, you might use a more general term like "slightly" or "a little". However, in contexts where precision is important, specifying "a tenth of a point" provides more accurate information.

In what fields is the phrase "a tenth of a point" most often used?

The phrase "a tenth of a point" is frequently used in fields such as economics (e.g., changes in unemployment rates), finance (e.g., fluctuations in interest rates), sports (e.g., scoring differences in gymnastics), and media (e.g., television ratings).