by a small margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'by a small margin' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where something only happens very slightly or barely. For example, "The team won the game by a small margin of 2 points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The candidate loses the primary by a small margin.

Harvard University

Both could still lose by a small margin.

The New Yorker

It wasn't quite enough by a small margin".

The Guardian - Sport

Declining stocks outnumbered advancing issues by a small margin.

The New York Times

After an outcry from hospitals, the company later relented, dropping its price by a small margin.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The winner by a small margin (9.59percentto9.26percentcent) was the target-date fund.

The New York Times

It is incontestable that the Brexiteers won the referendum, albeit by a small margin.

The Guardian - Opinion

Both parties had spoken earlier about a recount if a candidate lost by a small margin.

The Guardian

Mrs. Whitman won re-election against Mr. McGreevey by a small margin in 1997.

The New York Times

Hammer had ridden a faster pursuit, giving her the edge, if only by a small margin.

The Guardian - Sport

He also leads, though by a small margin, on confidence in his decisions on illegal immigration.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine the phrase with adverbs such as 'only' or 'just' to add emphasis on the insignificance of the margin.

Common error

Avoid using "by a small margin" when the difference is actually substantial. Ensure that 'small' accurately reflects the scale of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by a small margin" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the extent to which something is achieved or differs. Ludwig shows that it often describes the closeness of a result, such as in elections or competitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by a small margin" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to indicate that an outcome, difference, or achievement was attained with minimal advantage. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science. The phrase emphasizes the closeness of the result, suggesting it could have easily gone the other way. While alternatives like "by a narrow margin" or "just barely" offer similar meanings, "by a small margin" maintains a neutral and professional tone suitable for objective reporting and analysis. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being measured and that the 'small' accurately reflects the scale of the difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by a narrow margin

Emphasizes the closeness of the difference, highlighting the minimal gap.

by a slight degree

Focuses on the insignificance of the difference or change.

by a slim lead

Specifically refers to a minimal advantage in a competitive situation.

just barely

Indicates that something was achieved with minimal effort or resources.

by a hair's breadth

Emphasizes the extreme closeness of a missed outcome or achievement.

by a whisker

Similar to 'by a hair's breadth', suggesting a very narrow escape or victory.

in a close contest

Highlights the competitive nature of the situation, where the difference is minimal.

marginally

Concisely describes a slight difference or effect.

by the skin of one's teeth

Implies that success was achieved with great difficulty and nearly failed.

with little to spare

Indicates that something was achieved with almost no resources or advantage left over.

FAQs

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

You can use "by a small margin" to indicate a narrow difference or victory. For example, "The bill passed in the Senate "by a small margin", with 51 votes to 49".

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

Alternatives include "by a narrow margin", "by a slight degree", or "just barely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "by a small margin" or "by a hair's breadth"?

"By a small margin" is generally more formal and suitable for professional or academic contexts, while "by a hair's breadth" is more informal and figurative.

What does "by a small margin" imply about the situation?

It suggests that the outcome was close and could have easily gone the other way, highlighting the slightness of the difference between success and failure.