by a modest margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by a modest margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is achieved or decided with a small difference or amount. Example: "The candidate won the election by a modest margin, securing just a few hundred votes more than their opponent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Clinton won the Colorado popular vote by a modest margin, but Trump took nearly twice as many counties.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gore, however, carried the town by a modest margin, and four years ago Westfield went for Bill Clinton, the first time in memory that the Democratic presidential candidate captured the majority of votes here.

The New York Times

He has also raised the state's minimum wage.Probably the best Mr Kashkari can hope for this year is to lose by a modest margin and, in so doing, revive the ailing Republican brand.

The Economist

Five years ago we divided narrowly in favour of a complete withdrawal from the EU; today, by a modest margin, we prefer to remain a member: Our latest figures are consistent with YouGov's tracker series on how people would vote in a referendum on whether to leave the EU.

The Guardian - Opinion

The advisory panel voted with only one dissent to impose a ban for children under 2. It also voted, by a modest margin, for a ban for children ages 2 to 5. Some experts and consumer advocates believe the ban should go up to 12, but the panel decided to allow continued marketing for children 6 and older.

The New York Times

Schaeffer’s put/call open interest ratio (SOIR) for PEP currently stands at 1.12, with short-term puts outweighing short-term calls by a modest margin.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

That was a modest margin over the nearly 37percentt of the votes that the European Union controls.

The New York Times

"Obama will win electoral and popular vote with a modest margin," Candace said.

Los Angeles Times

His proposal to cut corporate taxes by a small margin and to offer modest incentives for companies to stay is more tempered than the Republican position.

Huffington Post

The Conservatives lead the Labour Party by a stable but modest margin of around seven percentage points in the opinion polls.

The Economist

And not by a small margin.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by a modest margin" to convey a small, but noticeable, difference or victory. It is suitable when the exact numerical difference is less important than highlighting the closeness of the result.

Common error

Avoid using "by a modest margin" when the difference is actually substantial. This phrase downplays the degree of difference, so ensure it aligns with the actual data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a modest margin" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to describe the extent or degree to which something occurs. It indicates that an action or outcome is achieved with a relatively small difference or advantage. Ludwig confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by a modest margin" is a grammatically correct and versatile way to describe a situation where something is achieved or decided with a small difference. Ludwig confirms its validity. While not overly common, it's frequently found in news and analytical contexts, adding a nuanced layer to the description. Alternatives such as "by a slight edge" or "by a slim difference" offer similar meanings. When using this phrase, ensure the difference is genuinely small to avoid misrepresentation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a slim difference

Replaces 'modest margin' with 'slim difference', emphasizing the small amount.

by a slight edge

Replaces 'margin' with 'edge', implying a narrow advantage.

by a narrow gap

Substitutes 'margin' with 'gap', suggesting a small separation.

by a fraction

Replaces 'margin' with 'fraction', suggesting an even smaller quantity.

by a small amount

Uses a more general term 'amount' to indicate the limited quantity.

by a touch

Replaces "margin" with "touch", suggesting subtlety.

by a hair's breadth

Employs an idiom to describe a very close difference.

by a whisker

Idiomatic expression indicating a very small victory or difference.

by a close call

Indicates the result was nearly tied.

just barely

Uses an adverb to describe the action, rather than quantifying the margin directly.

FAQs

What does "by a modest margin" mean?

The phrase "by a modest margin" means that something was achieved or decided with a small, but noticeable, difference or amount. It implies the result was close.

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

You can use it to describe election results, survey outcomes, or any situation where there's a quantifiable difference. For example, "The bill passed "by a modest margin", indicating divided support."

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

Alternatives include "by a slight edge", "by a narrow gap", or "by a slim difference", which all convey a similar sense of a small difference.

Is "by a modest margin" formal or informal?

The phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, it's often used in news reports and analytical writing, giving it a slightly more formal tone than purely casual conversation.