an ample margin

USAGE SUMMARY

"an ample margin" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a large amount of something, such as time or money. For example, "We had an ample margin to complete the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Maybe we shouldn't be trying to protect public health with an ample margin of safety.

University of California, Berkeley

Navalny wrote that "without a doubt" the site had already been designed for a much lower sum, leaving an ample margin for kickbacks.

The New Yorker

But in the event, Mr da Silva beat Jose Serra, Mr Cardoso's capable health minister, by an ample margin, of 53m to 33m votes.

The Economist

"There has never been a campaign like this one, defined so far in advance and by such an ample margin," the columnist Villas-Boas Correa complained in the daily Jornal do Brasil on Friday.

The New York Times

Mr. Bolsonaro has long been an apologist for the military dictatorship that ruled Brazil for more than two decades, but he was elected by an ample margin and Brazil is now very much a democracy.

The New York Times

By Mark O'Connell January 26 , 2012"In getting my books," Edgar Allan Poe wrote in 1844, "I have always been solicitous of an ample margin; this is not so much through any love of the thing in itself, however agreeable, as for the facility it affords me of penciling in suggested thoughts, agreements, and differences of opinion, or brief critical comments in general".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

That allows an ample safety margin because few of these cars can actually go that fast, according to the Ford document.

The New York Times

Luis de Guindos, the Spanish economy minister, said at a news conference Saturday in Madrid that the assistance "allows us to have an ample safety margin" and "will return trust and confidence to the euro project".

The New York Times

Despite of 50% decrease of fuel thermal conductivity after swelling, inherent negative reactivity feedback and passive decay heat removal capability could secure an ample safety margin of peak fuel centerline temperature in tow safety analyses, unprotected transient overpower and unprotected loss of heat sink.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Ford officials have said that they selected the tire pressure for the Explorer so as to give it a smooth ride, and have insisted that a tire pressure of 26 pounds per square inch provided an ample safety margin against slow leaks that a consumer might not notice.

The New York Times

To leave ample margin for telemetry in case of background flares, a special Imaging Mode (see Section 7.11) is used for high-resolution timing observations.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing safety or planning, use "an ample margin" to convey a sense of security and preparedness. For example: "The project budget includes an ample margin to account for unexpected expenses."

Common error

Avoid using "an ample margin" when referring to exact quantities or situations where precision is required. This phrase implies a buffer or allowance, not a precise measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ample margin" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as an object of a verb or preposition. It signifies a sufficient or generous allowance, often implying a safety net or buffer. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

36%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ample margin" is a grammatically correct phrase that signifies a generous allowance or buffer, often used to convey a sense of security or preparedness. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts. While not extremely common, its usage is well-established and easily understood. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, but it's essential to consider whether a precise measurement or a flexible allowance is more suitable. Knowing its substitutes allows for more diverse and accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial buffer

Replaces 'ample' with 'substantial' and 'margin' with 'buffer', emphasizing a significant safeguard.

a considerable allowance

Substitutes 'margin' with 'allowance', highlighting the aspect of providing enough.

a generous leeway

Replaces 'ample' with 'generous' and 'margin' with 'leeway', focusing on the freedom to act within limits.

a comfortable surplus

Replaces the entire phrase with a direct expression of having more than enough.

a wide safety net

Emphasizes the protective aspect of having a large margin for error or risk.

a sizable cushion

Uses 'cushion' metaphorically to represent a buffer against unexpected difficulties.

a sufficient reserve

Highlights the aspect of having enough in store for future needs.

a healthy excess

Focuses on the positive aspect of having more than what is strictly necessary.

a significant overhead

Emphasizes the extra resources available beyond the immediate requirements.

an expansive boundary

Shifts the focus to a broad or unrestricted limit.

FAQs

How can I use "an ample margin" in a sentence?

You can use "an ample margin" to indicate a generous allowance or buffer. For example: "The engineers designed the bridge with "an ample margin of safety"".

What's a similar phrase to "an ample margin"?

Alternatives include "a substantial buffer", "a considerable allowance", or "a generous leeway".

Is it better to say "an adequate margin" or "an ample margin"?

"An adequate margin" suggests just enough, while "an ample margin" implies more than enough. Choose the phrase that best reflects the degree of allowance you want to convey.

Can "an ample margin" be used in financial contexts?

Yes, "an ample margin" is suitable for financial contexts. For example: "The company maintains "a comfortable surplus" as "an ample margin" against economic downturns".