an enormous margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an enormous margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or gap in various contexts, such as competition, performance, or financial results. Example: "The team won the championship by an enormous margin, leaving their opponents far behind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"If the batter is fooled, he'll swing over the pitch by an enormous margin".

The New Yorker

Luckily for him as another tight campaign nears conclusion, Democrats still hold an enormous margin there.

The New York Times

But he antagonized the voters, and lost by an enormous margin.

The New York Times

He trusts that Republicans, who lost the Hispanic vote by an enormous margin in November, cannot afford to further alienate Hispanics by voting against their top priority.

The New York Times

It was the beginning of his political career, though he shared the fate of most Liberty Union candidates: he lost by an enormous margin.

The New Yorker

Foreign observers sharply criticized Georgia today over its balloting on Sunday, an election that President Eduard Shevardnadze appears to have won by an enormous margin.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The former mayor, who has dominated the capital's politics for most of the last 30 years, has not yet formally declared that he intends to run but he's made no secret of his desire for a re-match with Johnson – who defeated him by a clear, though not enormous, margin in 2008.

The Guardian - Opinion

Union advocates complained of scare tactics by the company, but the enormous margin of the loss following such a focused campaign should inspire reflection.

Forbes

By the enormous margin of 70% to 8%, more people think Scotland gets a good deal out of being part of the United Kingdom than think it gets a bad deal.

The Economist

Despite that enormous margin, the portfolio lagged behind the index fund over the five years through December — losing 0.8 percent, annualized, versus a positive return of 0.9 percent for the index fund.

The New York Times

In 2008, in an earlier round of extreme volatility, several big cotton companies were forced out of business when they were unable to make enormous margin calls, which are increases in cash deposits required when futures contracts change in price.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an enormous margin", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared and why the difference is significant. Providing specific numbers or quantifiable data can strengthen the impact of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "an enormous margin" when the actual difference is not significantly large or impactful. If the margin is only slight, consider using a more accurate descriptor such as "a slight margin" or "a narrow lead".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an enormous margin" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial of degree. Ludwig examples show that is primarily used to quantify and emphasize the size or extent of a difference, lead, or advantage, confirming that it indicates a considerable degree.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an enormous margin" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to emphasize a significant difference or advantage. As indicated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news, media, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, ensuring the "enormity" is justifiable by quantifiable evidence. Alternatives such as "a substantial lead" or "a considerable difference" can be considered depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a substantial lead

Focuses on the 'lead' aspect, implying being ahead by a significant amount.

a significant advantage

Highlights the 'advantage' one party has over another, emphasizing the beneficial position.

a considerable difference

Emphasizes the 'difference' between two values or quantities, suggesting a notable gap.

a wide gap

Uses spatial metaphor to describe the large separation between two points or values.

a significant disparity

Highlights the inequality or imbalance between two things being compared.

a commanding victory

Focuses on the outcome, suggesting an overwhelming win with a large difference in scores.

a landslide victory

Similar to 'commanding victory', but often used in political contexts to describe an overwhelming win.

a decisive win

Indicates a clear and unquestionable victory, although not necessarily by a large margin.

a yawning chasm

Emphasizes the great divide or separation between two things, using a dramatic metaphor.

a comfortable margin

Implies the difference is large enough to ensure success or security, without being extreme.

FAQs

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

You can use "an enormous margin" to describe a significant difference or gap. For instance, "The company's profits exceeded expectations by "an enormous margin"."

What are some alternatives to "an enormous margin"?

Alternatives include "a substantial lead", "a significant advantage", or "a considerable difference", depending on the specific context you wish to emphasize. Consider also "a wide gap".

Is it always appropriate to use "an enormous margin"?

No, the appropriateness depends on the context. The phrase should accurately reflect a large difference or advantage. If the difference is minor, a less emphatic phrase would be more suitable.

What's the difference between "an enormous margin" and "a comfortable margin"?

"An enormous margin" implies a very large difference, whereas "a comfortable margin" suggests the difference is sufficient for security or success but not necessarily extremely large.