margin for error

USAGE SUMMARY

"margin for error" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a limited amount of room for mistakes without incurring a serious problem or consequence. For example, "When flying a plane, there is very little margin for error."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Food

General

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Small margin for error.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's no margin for error".

The New Yorker

"Not much margin for error".

The New York Times - Magazine

The margin for error is tiny.

The New Yorker

He has little margin for error.

The New York Times - Sports

There is little margin for error.

The New York Times - Food

There is very little margin for error.

Independent

"There's no margin for error," he says.

The Washington Post

There's still no margin for error.

The Guardian - Sport

"Our margin for error is getting smaller.

The Guardian - Sport

"There is a margin for error".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "margin for error" to set expectations in project management, clarifying the acceptable deviation from planned timelines or budgets.

Common error

Avoid using "margin for error" when referring to situations where any mistake is completely unacceptable. In such cases, stating there is "no tolerance for error" is more accurate and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "margin for error" functions as a noun phrase. As Ludwig AI explains, it is used to indicate the degree of flexibility or allowance for mistakes within a specific process or activity. It commonly appears as the subject or object of a sentence, describing how much deviation is acceptable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "margin for error" is a commonly used noun phrase that refers to the acceptable amount of deviation or mistakes within a process. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and suitability for use in written English, particularly in formal and professional settings. As evidenced by the example sentences, it is frequently found in contexts related to news and media, business, and technical discussions. Related phrases include "leeway for error" and "room for mistakes". When using "margin for error", remember to clarify its scope and consider the context to ensure your message is clear and accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leeway for error

Implies a permissible range of deviation from a standard or expected outcome, emphasizing the flexibility allowed.

room for mistakes

Highlights the possibility of making mistakes without critical consequences, focusing on human fallibility.

tolerance for inaccuracy

Indicates the acceptable level of deviation from perfect accuracy, emphasizing the degree of precision required.

permissible deviation

Refers to the allowed amount of variation from a set standard, focusing on the boundary of acceptability.

acceptable variance

Suggests a range within which differences are considered normal or allowable, highlighting statistical variation.

degree of latitude

Emphasizes the freedom to act or choose within certain constraints, focusing on flexibility and autonomy.

scope for imprecision

Indicates the extent to which exactness is not strictly required, focusing on the allowance for minor errors.

buffer for mistakes

Implies a safety net or reserve to absorb the impact of errors, focusing on mitigation and protection.

cushion for errors

Similar to 'buffer', suggesting a means of softening the impact of mistakes, focusing on reducing negative effects.

space for miscalculation

Highlights the potential for incorrect estimations or computations, focusing on the risk aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "margin for error" in a sentence?

You can use "margin for error" to indicate the amount of acceptable deviation in a process or task. For example, "In surgery, there is very little "margin for error"".

What can I say instead of "margin for error"?

You can use alternatives like "leeway for error", "room for mistakes", or "acceptable variance" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "margin for error" or "margin of error"?

"Margin for error" and "margin of error" are both grammatically acceptable, although ""margin for error"" is more commonly used to describe the allowance for mistakes in general contexts. "Margin of error" is more commonly used as a statistical term.

What's the difference between "margin for error" and "room for error"?

While both phrases are similar, ""margin for error"" often implies a quantified or calculated allowance for mistakes, while "room for error" suggests a more general and less defined allowance.