edge over

USAGE SUMMARY

"edge over" is a phrase commonly used in written English.
It typically means to have a slight advantage over something or someone. For example, "The Smiths had the edge over their rivals in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Fold this edge over again and crease it.

WikiHow

Incumbents generally have a financial edge over their rivals.

The New York Times

Appearing online gives Sherlock an unusual edge over Chinese dramas.

Independent

But authorities are confident they have an edge over Apple.

Independent

Might Mr Cuddly then have the edge over Ms Cold?

The Economist

It should also give them an edge over foreign rivals.

The Economist

But has she still got the edge over the others?

Independent

It also gives Matsui an edge over foreign competitors.

The Economist

Great baseball plays give an edge over an opponent.

The New York Times - Arts

Could technology give sprinters an edge over the flighty Jamaican?

The Guardian

"We feel we have an edge over our competition".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "edge over", ensure that the context clearly defines what specific advantage is being discussed to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "edge over" when the advantage is substantial or overwhelming. In such cases, stronger terms like "dominance" or "superiority" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "edge over" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes a comparative advantage. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to express that one entity possesses a slight superiority or benefit compared to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "edge over" effectively communicates a slight advantage or superiority, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile and widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and general writing. While grammatically correct and frequently used, it's important to use it appropriately to avoid overstating the degree of advantage. Consider alternatives like "advantage over" or "lead over" depending on the specific nuance you want to express to improve your writing. Use this knowledge of the phrase to excel in many circumstances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantage over

Replaces "edge" with a more direct synonym, maintaining the same prepositional structure.

competitive advantage over

Adds the adjective "competitive" to clarify the type of advantage.

lead over

Indicates a position ahead, suggesting a temporal or quantitative advantage.

superiority to

Shifts the focus to the state of being superior rather than the specific advantage.

upper hand against

Uses a more figurative expression for having control or advantage in a situation.

leg up on

An informal way of saying someone has an advantage.

better position than

Focuses on the improved state or situation compared to someone else.

benefit in relation to

More formal and academic, emphasizing the benefit one has compared to another.

greater leverage than

Highlights the increased influence or power one has over another.

trump card against

Highlights a decisive advantage that can overcome opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "edge over" in a sentence?

You can use "edge over" to indicate a slight advantage. For example, "Having more experience gave her an "edge over" other candidates."

What can I say instead of "edge over"?

You can use alternatives like "advantage over", "lead over", or "upper hand against" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "edge over" or "advantage over"?

Both "edge over" and "advantage over" are correct. "Advantage" is more direct, while "edge" suggests a slight or subtle advantage.

What's the difference between "edge over" and "advantage"?

"Edge over" implies a smaller, more subtle benefit, whereas "advantage" suggests a more significant and noticeable benefit. The choice depends on the degree of superiority you want to express.