at what margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at what margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the extent or degree of something, often in a financial or analytical context. Example: "We need to determine at what margin we can sell the product without incurring a loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But at what margin?

The Economist

If something like this was David's story, at what margin did he arise?

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

GlowRoad's suppliers offer goods at wholesale prices and resellers decide what margin to charge on top of that.

TechCrunch

"Look at how much it costs to acquire your customers, how long they stay, and what margin you earn.

The Guardian

What margin do you need?

The New York Times

And what margins do you expect?

TechCrunch

Since downstate and Chicago have now reported a roughly equal proportion of their votes, Mr. Romney's 12-point lead is a reasonably good guess at what the final margin will be.

The New York Times

The question for Wells and other banks is at what point improved margins boost earnings enough to overcome rising loan defaults.

Forbes

Take a hard, honest look at what your anticipated profit margin for your business will be, and determine whether or not you can be satisfied and secure with those numbers.

WikiHow

"I think if you look at what can impact our margins and our bottom line over the next 12 to 24 months, we think VOD on a global basis is probably … one of the most significant pieces of our business," he said.

Forbes

The franchisees agree that discounts can get customers in the door, but wince at what they can do to profit margins.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In negotiations, determine "at what margin" you're willing to compromise to avoid stalled agreements. This strategy ensures you don't concede beyond acceptable limits.

Common error

Avoid using "at what margin" interchangeably with terms like "overall profit". "At what margin" refers to a specific threshold or boundary, not necessarily the total profit earned.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at what margin" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about a specific threshold or boundary. According to Ludwig AI, it seeks to determine a critical limit, especially in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at what margin" serves as a question probing for a critical threshold or limit. While it may seem interchangeable with terms like "profit margin", it specifically seeks the boundary where something becomes unsustainable or unacceptable. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness, and its use is primarily seen in News & Media, with secondary occurrences in Science, and Formal & Business publications, suggesting a neutral formality level. To enhance clarity, alternatives like "at what level" or "at which threshold" can offer similar but nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at which threshold

Directly addresses a boundary or limit that must be crossed to achieve a specific outcome.

at which limit

Directly refers to an upper or lower bound, often in a context of restrictions or constraints.

at what level

Focuses on identifying a specific point or threshold, often in terms of quantity or intensity.

at what point

Highlights a specific moment or stage when a particular condition is met or a decision is made.

at which cutoff

Identifies a specific value or point used to separate acceptable from unacceptable outcomes.

at what rate

Emphasizes the pace or speed at which something is occurring, particularly in relation to change or growth.

at what degree

Refers to the extent or intensity of something, often used in the context of measuring or quantifying a characteristic.

at what stage

Emphasizes the phase or step in a process where a particular condition applies.

to what extent

Explores the range or scope of something, particularly in terms of influence or impact.

at what extremity

Highlights an extreme point or condition, often associated with potential risks or consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "at what margin" in a sentence?

You can use "at what margin" to inquire about the threshold or degree to which something is acceptable or profitable. For example, "At what margin does the business become unsustainable?"

What is a good alternative to "at what margin"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "at what level", "at which threshold", or "to what extent".

In business, what does it mean to ask "at what margin"?

In a business context, asking "at what margin" typically refers to determining the specific point where profit is no longer sustainable, or where costs exceed revenue. It helps assess the viability of a business model.

What's the difference between "at what margin" and "profit margin"?

"At what margin" questions the boundary of acceptability or sustainability, while "profit margin" is a ratio representing profitability. One seeks a limit, the other measures success.