margin

USAGE SUMMARY

"margin" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate a limit, difference, or space between two points. For example: "I think we should set a margin of safety to make sure the project is completed on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But seven unanswered goals from the Swans closed the margin to just three points midway through the final term, ensuring for a frantic finish.

The Guardian - Sport

But this justification is dangerously misleading, since the private sector consistently relies on the government or taxpayers to fund infrastructure, while extracting a profit, the margin of which can even be guaranteed in concession contracts," he said.

The Guardian

Despite their frequent failure to impose themselves, Rangers contrived and, inexplicably, squandered opportunities to extend their advantage by a convincing margin.

The Guardian - Sport

The margin between the cash rate and the average credit card rate is now the widest since records began in 1990, according to RBA statistics.

The Guardian - Business

While a recent national poll had Sanders in second place behind former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, he still lagged behind the favorite by a margin of 63% to 13%.

The Guardian

"There is no question the phone business is very low margin today, but they want to get to a place where they can sell the device at cost and then sell high-margin services to make that phone experience even better," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

It will give a strong impression of the overall picture, but the race is so close the actual result could still be within the margin of error.

The Guardian

"When Mr [Andrew] Robb says Australia is now open for business, how do we explain the stock exchange being above 5000?" Shorten is predicted to win his seat of Marybyrnong with a 17 point margin.

The Guardian

The worries it and investors felt, should have been eradicated with a new record backlog and an assertion from the company that the margin degradation embedded within in it is small.

The Guardian - Business

The Newspoll survey has a margin of error of three percentage points.

The Guardian

The controversial Conservative plan to allow housing association tenants to buy the property they rent at a subsidised price was similarly popular too – endorsed by a margin of 56% to 36%.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, specify the type of "margin" you're referring to (e.g., gross profit margin, operating margin) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "margin" interchangeably with terms like 'markup' or 'spread' without understanding the nuances. "Margin" specifically refers to the difference between revenue and cost, expressed as a percentage or an amount, while markup is the amount added to the cost to arrive at the selling price.

Linguistic Context

The word "margin" primarily functions as a noun, denoting an edge, a difference, or an allowance. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's commonly used to indicate a limit, difference, or space between two points. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its usage in contexts like financial performance, elections, and design.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "margin" is a versatile term with various meanings depending on the context, ranging from physical edges to financial metrics and statistical allowances. Ludwig AI confirms that "margin" is correct and usable in written English to indicate a limit, difference, or space. As evidenced by the numerous examples on Ludwig, it is commonly used in news, business, and sports contexts. When using "margin", it's crucial to consider the specific context and choose appropriate synonyms or clarifications to avoid ambiguity. The term's frequency and consistent usage in authoritative sources underscore its importance in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leeway

Refers to the amount of freedom to move or act within certain limits.

room for error

Indicates the acceptable degree of mistake or inaccuracy in a calculation or measurement.

profit margin

Specifies the ratio of profit to revenue, usually expressed as a percentage.

edge

Denotes the boundary or the dividing line.

borderline

Indicates a state or condition close to a limit or threshold.

scope

Signifies the extent or range of something.

range

Implies the extent or limits within which something can vary.

difference

Highlights the point or way in which people or things are dissimilar.

surplus

Refers to an amount of something left over when requirements have been met.

buffer

Indicates something that reduces shock or protects against miscalculations.

FAQs

How is "margin" used in financial contexts?

In finance, "margin" often refers to profit margin, representing the percentage of revenue remaining after deducting costs. It can also refer to trading on margin, which involves borrowing funds to invest.

What does "margin of error" mean in statistics?

The "margin of error" indicates the range within which the true value is likely to fall. A smaller "margin of error" suggests more precise results.

What are some synonyms for "margin" when referring to a border?

When "margin" refers to a border or edge, you can use synonyms like "edge", "perimeter", or "border".

How does "margin" relate to winning or losing in elections or sports?

In these contexts, "margin" represents the difference in votes or points between the winner and loser. A wide "winning margin" indicates a decisive victory.