give an edge

USAGE SUMMARY

"give an edge" is correct and can be used in written English.
It usually means to give someone or something an advantage over someone or something else in a certain situation. For example: "The company's careful research gave it an edge over its competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Great baseball plays give an edge over an opponent.

The New York Times - Arts

Of the local contenders, handicappers seem to give an edge to Ninja New York.

The New York Times

But an international degree can give an edge in a crowded employment market.

The Guardian

"Among dancing, dating and joking, give an edge to the hoofers.

The New York Times

In some places, conservative activists tend to dominate state conventions, which could give an edge to Mr. Santorum.

The New York Times

They warn that changes in the deductibility of interest would handicap American acquirers & give an edge to foreign ones.

The New Yorker

Mr. Schaeffer of FairTest said untimed tests tended to raise everyone's scores -- and give an edge to female test-takers.

The New York Times

Sport means drape Neoprene is a hot fabric of the moment, used to give an edge to couture handwork.

The New York Times

The poll also found that more likely voters give an edge to Mr. Obama on foreign policy, Medicare and addressing the challenges of the middle class.

The New York Times

And that would give an edge to Apple's new advertising platform iAd, which will have access to much more information from Apple devices.

The New York Times

But he said that not expanding the new rules to the entire program would give an edge to companies majority-owned by investment funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing competitive scenarios, use "give an edge" to indicate a factor that provides a slight advantage, rather than a guaranteed win.

Common error

Avoid using "give an edge" in situations where you simply mean 'help' or 'assist'. The phrase is most effective when highlighting a competitive advantage.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give an edge" primarily functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage and frequent appearance in diverse contexts, especially when describing how a factor provides a competitive advantage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "give an edge" is a versatile and commonly used phrase that effectively conveys the idea of providing an advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in various contexts, from News & Media to Academia. While alternatives like "confer an advantage" or "supply an advantage" exist, "give an edge" remains a clear and direct way to express the concept of gaining or offering a slight but meaningful benefit. Remember to use it primarily in competitive scenarios to highlight the factor that makes a difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

supply an advantage

Very similar in meaning, focusing on the provision of something beneficial.

bestow an advantage

A more formal alternative, suggesting a deliberate act of granting superiority.

confer an advantage

Replaces "give an edge" with more formal vocabulary, emphasizing the act of bestowing a benefit.

lend a benefit

Similar to 'confer', but less formal, still highlighting the provision of an advantage.

provide a boost

Focuses on the action of enhancing or improving something, differing from providing a strategic advantage.

afford an upper hand

Emphasizes control or dominance, adding a power dynamic not always present in the original phrase.

offer a leg up

An idiomatic alternative suggesting help in overcoming obstacles, rather than a competitive advantage.

grant a privilege

Implies a formal or legal advantage, which shifts from a general edge to a specific right.

create an opportunity

Shifts the focus to generating a chance for success, rather than directly giving an advantage.

foster a benefit

Highlights nurturing or promoting positive outcomes, contrasting with giving a direct advantage.

FAQs

How can I use "give an edge" in a sentence?

You can use "give an edge" to describe how something provides an advantage. For example, "The new software will "give an edge" to our marketing team."

What's a good alternative to "give an edge"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "provide a boost", "confer an advantage", or "supply an advantage".

Is it correct to say "gave an edge" instead of "give an edge"?

Yes, "gave an edge" is the past tense form and is grammatically correct when referring to a past event. "The training "gave an edge" to the athletes during the competition."

What's the difference between "give an edge" and "have an edge"?

"Give an edge" means to provide an advantage, while "have an edge" means to already possess an advantage. They describe different sides of the same coin.