one point off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one point off" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is almost correct, but not quite. For example, "She was just one point off on her final exam, but still managed to get an A-".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tottenham are fourth, one point off new leaders Arsenal.

The Guardian - Sport

The result means Columbus Crew drop to third in the East, but remain only one point off the pace.

The Guardian - Sport

While a number of patients would have been classified by the 2010 criteria falsely, their score was only one point off in most of the cases: median score of false positives being 7, and of false negatives being 5.

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Reading are third from bottom, two points above 19th-placed Wigan, and one point off safety.

BBC

The Grecians are unable to make the League One play-offs, but could finish just one point off sixth-spot.

BBC

The Pirates are 22nd in the league and just one point off bottom ahead of Saturday's home game against Exeter.

BBC

The three points keep McNamara's side just one point off league-leaders Hamilton, but the manager was anticipating a livelier performance from his players.

BBC

He went into the 2008 Olympics with high hopes of improving on his bronze from Athens and went into the final medal race in the silver-medal position, just one point off gold.

BBC

The 30-year-old Dempsey, the Athens bronze medallist, started the day one point off leader JP Tobin of New Zealand and came second in the medal race to pip the Kiwi by one point.

BBC

Martinec continued to contribute many assists to the team and finished in second place with 29, one point off first.

Wikipedia

After Newcastle thrashed Stoke City on Boxing Day they were one point off the Champions League places and Pardew was fanning Geordie dreams.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing scores or rankings, use "one point off" to clearly indicate a narrow gap between competitors or achievements. It provides a precise measure of how close someone is to reaching a goal.

Common error

Avoid using "one point off" when the difference is not actually small or significant. Ensure the context reflects a genuinely close margin, otherwise, it may mislead the reader about the actual standing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one point off" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to indicate a quantity or degree of deficiency. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's widespread use across various contexts, indicating its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "one point off" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a situation where someone or something is narrowly missing a target or goal. It's most frequently used in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is generally correct and usable in written English. When employing this phrase, ensure the context reflects a genuinely close margin to avoid misleading the reader. Consider alternatives like "a slim margin behind" or "just shy of" for more formal communication. The frequent use of "one point off" across various sources confirms its reliability and widespread acceptance in the English language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just shy of

Indicates being slightly below a desired level or target.

a slim margin behind

Highlights the small difference in a competitive context.

a hair's breadth away

Emphasizes the small distance remaining, using a figurative expression.

a whisker away

Uses a similar figurative expression to "a hair's breadth away", emphasizing closeness.

narrowly missing

Focuses on the act of almost achieving something.

a slight distance from

Offers a more literal description of the proximity.

within striking distance

Suggests being close enough to potentially overtake or achieve a goal.

close to achieving

Focuses on the potential for success in the near future.

nearly at the level of

Highlights proximity to a specific standard or benchmark.

on the verge of

Suggests an imminent transition or breakthrough.

FAQs

How can I use "one point off" in a sentence?

You can use "one point off" to describe a situation where someone or something is narrowly missing a target or goal. For example, "Our team was "one point off" winning the championship".

What's a more formal way to say "one point off"?

While "one point off" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives include phrases like "a slim margin behind" or "just shy of". Consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

Is "one point off" always used in sports contexts?

No, while commonly used in sports, "one point off" can also be used in academic, business, or other competitive contexts where numerical scores or rankings are involved. For example, "The student was "one point off" achieving an A in the course".

What's the difference between "one point off" and "one point behind"?

"One point off" typically describes the distance from a specific target or goal, while "one point behind" indicates a position relative to another competitor. Although their usage may overlap, the former emphasizes proximity to a goal, while the latter emphasizes relative standing.