by a slight margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The expression "by a slight margin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the degree to which something is slightly greater or slightly less than something else. For example: "She won the election by a slight margin of just two votes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Now, by a slight margin, they expect Mr. Bush to win.

The New York Times

"Cancer 4 Cure" is the less worked up of the two albums, by a slight margin.

The New Yorker

Responding to questions about it, he referred to polls that show voters by a slight margin oppose his dual candidacy.

The New York Times

By a slight margin, it was noted, the majority of people who watched the Kentucky Derby on TV were women.

The New Yorker

It helped that by a slight margin, Manning proved to be the more effective of the two quarterbacks in their first head-to-head comparison.

The New York Times - Sports

By a slight margin, more respondents said the threat of terrorism would increase under Republicans than said it would increase under Democrats.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

In the other two, they trail by only a slight margin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her coach taped playing cards to the hurdles to teach her to clear them by only a slight margin.

The New York Times - Sports

Polls indicated that French citizens were, though by only a slight margin, still opposed to his release.

The New York Times

By a very slight margin.

Huffington Post

The economy remains a major issue in Iowa, a state that Mr. Bush lost by a slim margin in 2000 and where polls now show him with a slight lead.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing two outcomes, ensure that the context is clear before stating something was achieved "by a slight margin". This will ensure that your reader understands what is being measured.

Common error

Avoid using "by a slight margin" when the difference is actually significant. This phrase is specifically for situations where the difference is small and almost negligible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a slight margin" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent or degree to which something occurs. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by a slight margin" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate a minimal difference or advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly found in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure the difference you are describing is indeed small to avoid misrepresentation. Consider related phrases like "by a narrow edge" or "just barely" to fine-tune your expression. Avoid common mistakes by understanding the implications of the phrase and not using it for describing substantial differences. This precision allows for more effective and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a slim difference

This phrase directly replaces "margin" with "difference", keeping the meaning intact.

by a small degree

This alternative focuses on the degree of difference being small.

by a narrow edge

This alternative emphasizes the closeness of the difference or advantage.

by a touch

This phrase suggests a minimal amount or degree of difference.

by a fraction

This alternative highlights the very small portion by which something leads or lags.

by a whisker

This phrase indicates a very small and almost imperceptible difference.

by a hair's breadth

This alternative is similar to "by a whisker", highlighting a very small difference.

by a nose

This idiom suggests winning or leading by the smallest possible amount.

just barely

This emphasizes the minimal effort or difference resulting in the outcome.

only just

Similar to "just barely", this phrase stresses the narrowness of the success or difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "by a slight margin" to indicate that one thing is only narrowly better, worse, or different than another. For example, "The team won "by a slight margin", securing their place in the finals".

What are some alternatives to saying "by a slight margin"?

Alternatives include "by a narrow edge", "by a slim difference", or "just barely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

Yes, "by a slight margin" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when precision is needed. It's often found in news reports, academic papers, and business documents.

What's the difference between "by a slight margin" and "by a wide margin"?

"By a slight margin" indicates a small difference, while "by a wide margin" indicates a large, significant difference. The choice depends on the actual degree of difference you're describing.