margin by which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "margin by which" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to the difference or extent of something, often in a comparative context. Example: "The margin by which she won the election was surprisingly large, indicating strong support from the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The margin by which the measure passed was itself a statement.

The New York Times

The margin by which these multiple catastrophes were averted could scarcely have been narrower.

The New York Times

Just for kicks, here's the margin by which Clinton leads nationally.

The Washington Post

(Interestingly, this is the exact margin by which George W. Bush defeated John Kerry in 2004).

The New York Times

That's little changed over the 3pt margin by which respondents said they voted for Republicans in 2012.

The Guardian - Opinion

By coincidence, that was almost precisely the margin by which the President defeated Mitt Romney in the state.

The New Yorker

Lowering the vote margin by which a school's teachers must approve such an arrangement would offer some flexibility.

The New York Times

Is the paint on a rugby post the sort of margin by which a nine-month campaign should be decided?

The Guardian - Sport

To become law, the tax would have to be approved by the same margin by which Measure 93 itself passed.

The New York Times

The slim margin by which Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was re-elected was the biggest surprise on Tuesday night.

The New York Times

Democrats were up by 0.8pt in registered voter polls – the same margin by which they won the House vote.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "margin by which" when you want to emphasize the specific amount or degree of difference between two values or outcomes. For clarity, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "margin by which" in situations where a simple comparison is sufficient. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex. Instead, opt for more direct language when the specific margin isn't crucial to the message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "margin by which" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, indicating the extent or degree of difference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to specify the amount by which one thing exceeds or falls short of another, often in comparative contexts. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in election results, performance metrics, and other quantifiable differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "margin by which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to specify the degree or extent of a difference between two things. As Ludwig AI validates, it's commonly employed in contexts where a precise quantitative comparison is necessary, such as in news reporting, scientific analysis, and formal business communications. Predominantly found in news and media, with supporting presence in science and encyclopedic sources, this phrase helps to highlight the significance of the difference being discussed. While alternatives like "extent to which" or "difference by which" exist, "margin by which" is a reliable and effective choice for conveying quantitative distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difference by which

Directly replaces "margin" with "difference", highlighting the quantitative gap.

amount by which

Focuses on the specific quantity or measure of difference.

extent to which

Replaces "margin" with "extent", focusing on the degree or scope of something.

degree to which

Similar to "extent to which", emphasizing the level or intensity.

gap by which

Emphasizes the space or interval of difference.

proportion by which

Focuses on the ratio or percentage of difference.

level to which

Emphasizes the height or stage something reaches.

spread by which

Highlights the distribution or range of variation.

scale to which

Highlights the range or scope something covers.

scope to which

Emphasizes the breadth or range of something.

FAQs

How to use "margin by which" in a sentence?

The phrase "margin by which" is used to describe the amount or degree of difference between two things. For example: "The "margin by which" the measure passed was itself a statement".

What can I say instead of "margin by which"?

You can use alternatives like "extent to which", "degree to which", or "difference by which" depending on the context.

When should I use "margin by which" over simpler terms like "difference"?

Use "margin by which" when you need to emphasize the precise quantitative difference and its significance. If the specific amount is less important, "difference" or "extent" may suffice.

Is "margin by which" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "margin by which" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing data, results, or comparisons in reports, articles, or academic papers.