plenty of leeway

USAGE SUMMARY

"plenty of leeway" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means having a lot of flexibility or room for maneuvering. Example: "You have plenty of leeway when it comes to organizing the event. Feel free to be creative and make it your own."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

All of this provides plenty of leeway.

The New York Times

There's plenty of leeway for both.

The New York Times - Food

Most carriers give themselves plenty of leeway to avoid taking responsibility for cancellations or delays.

The New York Times - Travel

More fundamentally, the proposals appear to give plenty of leeway to national regulators.

The New York Times

This gives you plenty of leeway to cope with storms and delays.

The New York Times

In fact, I have plenty of leeway to keep cutting rates, and I probably will.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It seems that the team is proceeding with plenty of caution and has built a lot of leeway into its timeline.

TechCrunch

Andy Bull's enjoyable first work describes itself as a "nonfiction novel", which is an apt description for a book that, while closely adhering to historical fact, nevertheless allows itself plenty of authorial leeway in presenting those facts.

The Guardian - Books

The ability to draw well is clearly a useful aspect of cartooning but a cartoonist has plenty of artistic leeway because it's expected that you'll develop your own eclectic style.

WikiHow

You can also create eyes with eye stickers, but handmade ones are fast and easy to do, plus you have plenty of creative leeway to make the eye shapes any way you like (try anime style, for example), and with or without eyelashes too.

WikiHow

This was always the official line, but individual elementary schools had a lot of leeway, and, as with our son and many of his peers, plenty of exceptions were made.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plenty of leeway" when you want to emphasize that there is ample flexibility or freedom to act within certain boundaries. It's suitable for situations where precise adherence to rules is not strictly enforced.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "plenty of leeway" implies unlimited freedom. It always exists within a specific context or set of constraints, even if those constraints are not explicitly stated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plenty of leeway" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition, to describe the degree of freedom or flexibility available in a particular situation. It indicates that there are no rigid constraints, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "plenty of leeway" signifies a significant degree of freedom or flexibility within a given context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that this "leeway" is not absolute and operates within implied or stated boundaries. For formal contexts, alternatives like ""significant discretion"" may be more appropriate. The usage analysis reveals that while primarily found in news sources, "plenty of leeway" also appears across various other domains, demonstrating its broad applicability. Ensure clarity by specifying the constraints or context within which the "leeway" exists to prevent misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ample room for maneuver

Emphasizes the availability of space or opportunity to change direction or strategy. More formal.

a great deal of flexibility

Highlights the adaptable nature and the ability to adjust easily to different conditions. Slightly more general.

significant latitude

Implies a broad range of acceptable behavior or decision-making. More formal than "plenty of leeway".

considerable freedom

Focuses on the state of being unrestricted in actions or choices. Broader in scope.

sufficient margin for error

Indicates enough space to accommodate mistakes without critical consequences. More specific.

lots of wiggle room

Informal and emphasizes the possibility of adjusting or changing something. More casual.

wide berth

Suggests a safe distance or buffer zone, often used in a physical context. Less direct.

extensive flexibility

Similar to “a great deal of flexibility” but puts more emphasis on scale.

substantial discretion

Highlights the power to make decisions independently. Implies authority.

enough space to breathe

Idiomatic expression indicating sufficient resources or time to manage a situation comfortably. More figurative.

FAQs

How can I use "plenty of leeway" in a sentence?

You can use "plenty of leeway" to indicate that someone has sufficient freedom or flexibility to make decisions or take action. For example, "The new guidelines give teachers "plenty of leeway" in designing their curriculum".

What are some alternatives to saying "plenty of leeway"?

Alternatives to "plenty of leeway" include "ample room for maneuver", "a great deal of flexibility", or "significant latitude", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "plenty of leeway" in formal writing?

While "plenty of leeway" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for neutral or informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "significant discretion" or "considerable freedom" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "plenty of leeway" and "unlimited freedom"?

"Plenty of leeway" suggests considerable flexibility within certain boundaries, whereas "unlimited freedom" implies no restrictions whatsoever. The former is context-dependent, while the latter is absolute. "Plenty of leeway" still operates under an umbrella of rules, whereas "unlimited freedom" does not.