little room for error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "little room for error" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation in which there is very little room for mistakes. For example: "Since the deadline is very short, there is little room for error with this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there was little room for error.

The New York Times

The studio has little room for error.

The New York Times

We have very little room for error.

The New York Times - Sports

There was little room for error.

The Guardian - Opinion

With little room for error, the field is proceeding gingerly.

The New York Times

Moyer has little room for error, Garcia none.

The New York Times - Sports

He agreed there was little room for error now.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pretax margins, though improving, leave little room for error.

The New York Times

That has left the unit little room for error.

The New York Times - Sports

That leaves little room for error at Apple.

The New York Times

Carrefour's share price leaves little room for error.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "little room for error", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the potential errors might be and why they are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "little room for error" when a situation allows for minor adjustments or corrections. The phrase implies a higher degree of inflexibility than may be present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "little room for error" functions as an idiomatic expression, highlighting the criticality of accuracy and the potential for negative consequences if mistakes are made. Ludwig shows numerous examples of this phrase in use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "little room for error" is a common idiom used to describe situations where accuracy and precision are paramount. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted in written English. Its function is to emphasize the criticality of a situation and to warn against the potential for negative consequences stemming from mistakes. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, "little room for error" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. When using this phrase, it’s important to make clear what errors you are referencing and why they matter.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no margin for error

Emphasizes the absence of any acceptable deviation from perfection.

not much room for mistakes

Rephrases the original meaning using "mistakes" instead of "error".

slim chance of error

Highlights the improbability of mistakes occurring.

narrow margin for error

Indicates a slightly higher, yet still restricted, allowance for mistakes.

hardly any leeway for mistakes

Highlights the lack of flexibility or freedom to deviate.

limited tolerance for errors

Focuses on the acceptance level of errors rather than the space for them.

tight constraints

Refers to strict limitations that minimize the possibility of errors.

exacting standards

Suggests high requirements that make errors less acceptable.

stringent requirements

Similar to 'exacting standards', emphasizing strict criteria.

demanding conditions

Focuses on challenging circumstances that make errors more consequential.

FAQs

How can I use "little room for error" in a sentence?

You can use "little room for error" to describe situations where even small mistakes can have significant consequences. For example, "Given the tight deadline, there's "little room for error" on this project".

What are some alternatives to "little room for error"?

Alternatives include "no margin for error", "slim chance of error", or "narrow margin for error", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it acceptable to say "little room for mistakes" instead of "little room for error"?

Yes, "little room for mistakes" is a perfectly acceptable and semantically similar alternative to ""little room for error"". Both phrases convey the same meaning.

What does it mean when someone says there is "little room for error"?

It means that the situation is precarious and even small mistakes could lead to undesirable outcomes. It implies a need for precision and careful execution.