by a large margin

USAGE SUMMARY

"by a large margin" is correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when describing a significant difference between two things. For example, "The winning team outscored their opponents by a large margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Christensen lost by a large margin.

The New Yorker

Amir overstepped again by a large margin.

Independent

African savannas were preferred by a large margin.

The New Yorker

But we could beat him by a large margin.

The New Yorker

He won the last election by a large margin.

The New York Times

11.29pm GMT The budget deal passes by a large margin.

The Guardian

"A referendum would pass by a large margin," he said.

The New York Times

And really, I gave everybody a better life, by a large margin.

The Guardian - Books

Porfirio Lobo, a veteran conservative politician, won the election by a large margin.

The New York Times

Nixon had beaten Sen. McGovern by a large margin for the Presidency.

The New Yorker

They trailed by double-digits Tuesday night, and they led by a large margin tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a large margin" to clearly emphasize a significant difference or lead, making your statement more impactful and easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "by a large margin" in very informal or casual conversations; opt for simpler alternatives like "a lot" or "way more" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a large margin" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate the extent or degree to which something occurs. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase emphasizes a significant difference or lead.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a large margin" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to emphasize a significant difference or lead. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. It's essential to use it appropriately, avoiding overuse in overly informal settings. Alternatives like "by a significant margin" or "decisively" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's analysis confirms its widespread usage and acceptability in formal and neutral contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a significant margin

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the difference.

by a wide margin

Focuses on the extent of the difference.

by a considerable margin

Highlights that the difference is noteworthy or substantial.

by a substantial margin

Similar to "considerable", stressing the degree of difference.

by a huge margin

Emphasizes the size or scale of the difference.

by a great margin

Indicates a notable or considerable difference.

by a vast margin

Implies an immense or extensive difference.

by a massive margin

Suggests an overwhelming or immense difference.

by a comfortable margin

Indicates the difference is more than adequate or sufficient.

decisively

Implies a clear and unmistakable victory or difference.

FAQs

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

Use "by a large margin" to indicate a significant difference between two quantities or results. For example: "The winning candidate won "by a large margin"."

What are some alternatives to "by a large margin"?

You can use alternatives such as "by a significant margin", "by a wide margin", or "decisively" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "by a large margin" in formal writing?

Yes, "by a large margin" is suitable for formal writing to clearly express a substantial difference or lead in a clear and professional manner.

What's the difference between "by a large margin" and "by a small margin"?

"By a large margin" indicates a significant difference, while "by a small margin" implies only a slight or narrow difference. For example, a team might win a game "by a large margin", indicating a dominant victory, or "by a small margin", suggesting a close game.