by a decent margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a decent margin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that something is much greater than something else. For example: "The winning team won by a decent margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I just hope it's by a decent margin," she said.

The New York Times

The equities in the pension scheme will have to outperform government bonds by a decent margin.

The Economist

Instapolls found viewers gave him the palm by a decent margin.

The Economist

But where we have won, it's been by a decent margin".

Independent

The Knicks are still the Atlantic Division front-runners by a decent margin.

The New York Times

Still, based on the results we have so far, it appears as though Mr. Santorum could beat his polling by a decent margin in both Minnesota and Missouri.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The Mets' offense, meanwhile, gave Glavine a decent margin to work with.

The New York Times - Sports

It provides a service at a decent margin and makes their communities better places to live.

Huffington Post

Using clean strokes with a fresh blade, shave the area you'll be tattooing, plus a decent margin of skin in the surrounding area.

WikiHow

Pakistan win by 205 runs, a pretty decent margin in an ODI.

The Guardian - Sport

"That was a fairly significant profit margin of 35 per cent, and by any business standard that is a very decent margin," said Mr. O'Brien.

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a decent margin" to convey that a difference or lead is substantial and clearly noticeable, but not necessarily overwhelming. This suggests a comfortable yet not excessive advantage.

Common error

Avoid using "by a decent margin" when the actual difference is minimal or statistically insignificant. Ensure the context justifies the implication of a noteworthy advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a decent margin" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb. It describes the extent to which an action is performed or a state is achieved, indicating a noticeable and appreciable difference or advantage. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by a decent margin" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that signifies a noticeable and appreciable difference or advantage. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to formal business settings. While not extremely frequent, it effectively conveys a sense of clear superiority without overstatement. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the implication of a noteworthy advantage and that the difference or lead is genuinely substantial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a comfortable lead

Replaces "decent margin" with "comfortable lead", emphasizing the ease of victory or superiority.

by a significant amount

Focuses on the size of the difference rather than the implied judgment of "decent".

by a considerable distance

Highlights the extent of separation between two or more things.

by a healthy advantage

Emphasizes the positive aspect of having a margin that is beneficial or secure.

by a clear majority

Indicates that the winning side had a noticeably higher number of votes or support.

by a good measure

Replaces "decent margin" with "good measure", indicating an amount that is sufficient or substantial.

by a substantial degree

Focuses on the degree or extent to which something is greater or more significant.

by a wide berth

Emphasizes the safe distance or separation achieved.

by a fair bit

Indicates that something is more than something else to a reasonable extent.

by a handsome difference

Highlights the attractive or impressive nature of the margin.

FAQs

How can I use "by a decent margin" in a sentence?

You can use "by a decent margin" to describe a victory, a lead, or any situation where one thing exceeds another noticeably. For example, "The company's profits exceeded expectations "by a decent margin" this quarter."

What's a less formal way to say "by a decent margin"?

If you're aiming for a less formal tone, consider using phrases like "by quite a bit", "by a good amount", or "by a fair bit" as alternatives to "by a decent margin".

Which is correct, "by a decent margin" or "by a significant margin"?

Both phrases are correct, but they convey slightly different nuances. "By a significant margin" emphasizes the importance or impact of the difference, while "by a decent margin" suggests a comfortable and clearly noticeable difference. Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context.

What can I say instead of "by a decent margin" to describe an election result?

To describe an election result, consider alternatives like "by a comfortable lead", "by a clear majority", or "by a substantial vote".