reduced margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reduced margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, business, or design, where it refers to a smaller than usual margin or buffer. Example: "Due to the recent budget cuts, we are operating with a reduced margin for error in our project."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The pollsters reported that Dr. Adenauer is running ahead of all other parties, including the Social Democrats of East Berlin Mayor Willy Brandt, but by a sharply reduced margin compared to the last elections four years ago.

The New York Times

If the return cannula was placed first within the right atrium, subsequent insertion and manipulation of the access cannula may have resulted in displacement of the return cannula, where there is reduced margin for error for altered positioning.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The primary results of the COBALT trial showed that USS significantly reduced margin involvement, while the amount of healthy breast tissue excised was smaller.

Annals of Surgical Oncology

But we hypothesized that the use of daily IGRT during the boost phase should justify reduced margin, given its enhanced positioning accuracy.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As a result, employers must accept reduced margins or customers must pay steeper prices.

The Washington Post

First Boston officials said competition had reduced margins in the brokerage side of the futures business.

The New York Times

It refers to the deteriorating service – as evidenced by Wright – and points to spiralling carriage charges and reduced margins.

The Guardian

It did keep its two seats, but by sharply reduced margins: in one, it scraped in by just 751 votes.

The Economist

They have thus weakened the "mix"—the balance of small and large vehicles sold—and reduced margins.

The Economist

The rise in profits from liquor sales partly offset reduced margins in the Green Giant and Pillsbury food divisions, where analysts had expected bigger gains.

The New York Times

(Another, perhaps more-intuitive, way to put this is that vigorous price competition reduces profit margins, and reduced margins result in cutbacks in charity care and pro bono work).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, be specific about what kind of "margin" you are referring to, such as profit margin, operating margin, or gross margin, to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "reduced margin" without specifying the context. Saying a company has a "reduced margin" is vague. Instead, specify "reduced profit margin" or "reduced operating margin" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reduced margin" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "reduced" modifies the noun "margin". It describes a state where the margin, whether it be for profit, error, or physical space, is less than it previously was. Ludwig shows its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33.33%

Science

33.33%

Formal & Business

33.33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "reduced margin" is a versatile term used across various fields to denote a decrease in some kind of buffer or leeway. As Ludwig AI notes, this can apply to profit margins in business, safety margins in engineering, or even political margins in elections. While grammatically sound and generally acceptable as stated by Ludwig, it's important to provide context to specify what type of margin is being reduced. Common alternatives include "lower profit margin", "decreased leeway", or "narrower boundary". Using "reduced margin" effectively involves being specific and tailoring the phrase to the context for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decreased leeway

Directly implies less freedom or flexibility, suitable for describing limited options or constraints.

restricted flexibility

Highlights a decrease in the ability to adapt or change plans, suitable for discussing operational limitations.

diminished buffer

Suggests a smaller safety net or cushion, applicable in financial or risk management scenarios.

smaller allowance

Emphasizes a smaller permitted deviation or amount, often in a financial or operational context.

thinner safety net

Implies a weaker protection against potential problems or failures, applicable in various risk-related situations.

tightened threshold

Focuses on stricter limits or requirements, often used when discussing standards or qualifications.

limited tolerance

Indicates a reduced acceptance of deviations or errors, often used in technical or quality control contexts.

narrower boundary

Highlights a decrease in the defined limits or scope, suitable in discussions about regulations or physical space.

smaller comfort zone

Suggests a reduction in the range of acceptable conditions or outcomes, often used in psychological or performance-related contexts.

lower profit margin

Specifically refers to a smaller difference between revenue and cost, common in business and economic discussions.

FAQs

How can I use "reduced margin" in a sentence?

You can use "reduced margin" to describe situations where there is less room for error or a smaller buffer, for example, "The new budget leaves us with a "reduced margin" for unexpected expenses".

What's a good alternative to "reduced margin" in a business context?

In a business context, alternatives like "lower profit margin" or "decreased profitability" can be used instead of "reduced margin" to describe a company's financial situation.

Is "reduced margin" formal or informal language?

"Reduced margin" is considered fairly neutral and can be used in both formal and informal settings, though it's most common in business or technical contexts. Using more specific terms like "smaller allowance" can create a more precise meaning.

What does "reduced margin" mean in the context of medical procedures?

In a medical context, "reduced margin" might refer to a smaller area of healthy tissue removed during surgery, potentially increasing the risk of incomplete removal. It can also mean a "narrower boundary" for error in procedures.