about two points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about two points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a measurement, score, or estimation that is approximately two points in value. Example: "The final score of the game was about two points higher than the previous match."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Can't you infer from that poll that Mr. Obama is ahead by about two points nationally?

The New York Times

Hibbs's model also underestimated Nixon's vote share by about two points.

The Washington Post

But Mr. Kerry nevertheless came into his convention with a lead, and he maintained it — then he lost the popular vote by about two points instead.

The New York Times

With the lift from the Fox numbers, the Real Clear Politics average has Bush ahead of Walker by about two points, which is within the margin of error.

The New Yorker

There is generally a spread of about two points between what the insurance company earns and what is passed on to policyholders.

The New York Times

But the polls, as a whole, remain consistent with the idea that they may end up settling where they were before the conventions, with Mr. Obama ahead by about two points.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

(For wide receivers, the mean is about ten points lower).

The New Yorker

He won the election by about seven points.

The Washington Post

Mr. Bush won Colorado by about eight points in 2000.

The New York Times

Polls currently show Clinton beating him by about five points.

The Guardian

Obama won it by almost 14 points in 2008 and by about seven points in 2012.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about two points", ensure the context makes it clear what "points" refers to, whether it's a score, percentage, or other unit of measurement.

Common error

Avoid using "about two points" when a more precise figure is available. Using an approximation when accuracy is possible can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about two points" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective to indicate an approximation. It expresses an estimation, indicating that a value or difference is close to, but not necessarily exactly, two points. Ludwig's examples show it is commonly used to describe scores, poll results and changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "about two points" is a common and acceptable way to express an approximate value or difference, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adverbial phrase used to modify a verb or adjective to indicate an estimation close to two points. While suitable for general communication and news reporting, more precise language might be preferred in formal or scientific contexts. Consider using alternatives like "approximately two points" for increased formality. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, with other occurrences in the sciences and formal business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximately two points

Replaces "about" with a more formal synonym, indicating a slightly more precise estimation.

roughly two points

Offers a less formal alternative to "about", suggesting an approximate value.

around two points

Similar to "about", indicating a value close to two points.

in the vicinity of two points

More formal, suggesting a value near two points but not necessarily exact.

in the neighborhood of two points

Informal and indicates an approximate value close to two points.

on the order of two points

Suggests a value that is generally around two points, often used in scientific contexts.

in the ballpark of two points

Very informal, indicating a rough estimation.

a couple of points

Uses "couple" instead of "two", which suggests a less precise approximation.

plus or minus two points

Explicitly states a range around two points, indicating a possible variation.

give or take two points

Indicates an approximate value with a margin of error of around two points.

FAQs

How can I use "about two points" in a sentence?

You can use "about two points" to indicate an approximate difference or value, such as "The team's score was "about two points" higher than their average".

What is a more formal alternative to "about two points"?

A more formal alternative would be "approximately two points" or "roughly two points", which convey a similar meaning with slightly increased precision.

Is it appropriate to use "about two points" in academic writing?

While acceptable, "about two points" is less precise. Consider using "approximately two points" or providing a specific range if the data allows for greater accuracy.

What's the difference between "about two points" and "exactly two points"?

"About two points" implies an approximation, while "exactly two points" indicates a precise value with no deviation. If you are not sure, then you should always use the term "approximately two points".