margin of doubt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "margin of doubt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing uncertainty or the degree of uncertainty in a situation or decision-making process. Example: "In scientific research, it is important to acknowledge the margin of doubt when interpreting the results of an experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet it does suggest that there is a margin of doubt around the informal rules governing property rights in Russia.

Forbes

Asked to explain the remaining 10percentt margin of doubt, the investigator declined to elaborate, but Muqaddam cited other possibilities on Saturday including a fuel explosion, metal fatigue in the plane, or lithium batteries overheating.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In the case of black leather biker jackets - this winter's high- street sell-out - there wouldn't be the minutest margin of a doubt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Had it not been for the 17 infractions that cost the Quakers 144 yards, Penn's margin of victory no doubt would have been far larger than the 42-7 verdict achieved over the Lions before a crowd of 10,878 at Franklin Field.

The New York Times - Sports

Vote in record numbers, irrespective of party, class or creed, but for the sake of country and democracy, overwhelming the margin of error and doubt.

Forbes

By then only the margin of victory was in doubt.

The Guardian - Sport

The A.N.C. is heading toward another landslide win in the vote on Wednesday, and the party's margin of victory was no doubt inflated further with the appearance of the living symbol of South Africa's liberation.

The New York Times

A survey of economists last week cast a lot of doubt - by a margin of 21 to four - on whether the benefits of devolving full income tax powers would outweigh the possible costs.

BBC

Five Current Margin-of-Safety Graham Picks.

Forbes

Circles divide space into an inside and an outside - an us and a them, if you like - and while circling the margin of the US, Diski leaves no doubt as to whose side she's on: "I... experience an innate and unresolved dislike of authority in any form".

The Guardian - Books

Had Rasmussen wanted to relieve the burden of doubt, he would have done better to restrict the margin of yesterday's victory.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, pair "margin of doubt" with quantitative data or qualitative evidence to support the claim of uncertainty. This strengthens your argument and lends credibility to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "margin of doubt" when you intend to express complete certainty or absence of doubt. The phrase inherently implies some level of uncertainty, not its complete lack. Use phrases like "without a doubt" or "certainly" to convey the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "margin of doubt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to describe the degree of uncertainty associated with a statement, situation, or decision. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in contexts where acknowledging a degree of uncertainty is crucial.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "margin of doubt" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as verified by Ludwig, that describes a degree of uncertainty. Although Ludwig's examples show it's not a very common phrase, it finds prevalence in News & Media, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, ensure clarity about the source of doubt. Remember, "margin of doubt" implies some uncertainty, not its absence, and alternatives such as "degree of uncertainty" can be used for variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of uncertainty

Replaces "margin" with "degree" and "doubt" with "uncertainty", emphasizing the extent of the uncertainty.

level of uncertainty

Substitutes "margin" with "level" and "doubt" with "uncertainty", highlighting the measured amount of uncertainty.

scope for doubt

Uses "scope" instead of "margin", indicating the extent to which doubt is possible.

area of uncertainty

Emphasizes the uncertainty as a defined space or area.

potential for doubt

Focuses on the possibility or likelihood of doubt arising.

element of uncertainty

Highlights uncertainty as one component of a situation.

room for skepticism

Shifts from doubt to skepticism, implying a questioning attitude.

cause for doubt

Indicates a reason or justification for experiencing doubt.

ground for suspicion

Replaces doubt with suspicion, implying a stronger form of uncertainty based on mistrust.

questionable aspect

Focuses on a specific part that is uncertain or raises doubts.

FAQs

How can I use "margin of doubt" in a sentence?

You can use "margin of doubt" to indicate a degree of uncertainty surrounding a claim, decision, or outcome. For example: "Despite the evidence, a small "margin of doubt" remains about the defendant's guilt."

What are some alternatives to "margin of doubt"?

Alternatives include "degree of uncertainty", "level of uncertainty", or "scope for doubt", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "margin of doubt" the same as "reasonable doubt"?

No, "margin of doubt" is a general term for uncertainty, while "reasonable doubt" is a specific legal standard related to the level of certainty required for a criminal conviction. "Reasonable doubt" implies a higher threshold of uncertainty than a simple "margin of doubt".

Can "margin of doubt" be quantified?

Yes, in some contexts. Especially in statistical analysis or scientific research, the "margin of doubt" can be represented as a percentage or a confidence interval to express the range of possible values for a measurement or estimate.