significant leeway

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant leeway" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the amount of freedom or flexibility allowed in a particular situation or decision-making process. Example: "The manager gave the team significant leeway in how they approached the project, allowing for creative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

The criminal charges also detailed how the traders received significant leeway to value their bets.

The New York Times

Traders are given significant leeway to price financial instruments like the complex credit derivatives at the center of the bet.

The New York Times

Another involves the fairly significant leeway that financial firms have in valuing the securities they trade and hold.

The New York Times

"Since Baskerville is a neutral and well-known design," Ms. Licko explained, "it allowed me significant leeway in the interpretation, while retaining the familiarity of a classic".

The New York Times - Arts

In a close game, players have significant leeway to play as they see fit, provided it gives their team a better chance at victory.

The New York Times

The Senate bill would restrict such trading after a period of study, and give regulators significant leeway on how to set up the restrictions.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Apple's keyboard development tools allow a significant amount of leeway, making it possible to create an embedded search widget that lets users browse and find animated GIFs for anything they hope to express.

TechCrunch

The guidelines make it less likely that DOJ will prosecute marijuana operations that comply with state laws, though they leave federal prosecutors with a significant amount of leeway to decide when a case is worthy of federal attention.

Huffington Post

Facing stiff Republican opposition, the administration will have little or no leeway for doing anything significant to boost the economy.

The Economist

Ms. Colbert, in her correspondence with the commission, also invoked what one might call the "Hooters defense," citing a provision of the city law that provides leeway for employment policies that bear "significant relationship to a significant business objective".

The New York Times

PAGE B3 CHINA'S INFLATION EASES The Chinese government announced a significant drop in inflation, which gives leaders more leeway in managing the economy and continuing with a policy of loosening lending or cutting interest rates.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "significant leeway" to denote empowerment or trust, emphasizing that those granted this freedom are expected to act responsibly and strategically.

Common error

Avoid using "significant leeway" when the actual freedom or flexibility is minimal. Instead, opt for more precise language that reflects the true level of autonomy allowed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant leeway" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where 'significant' modifies 'leeway'. It describes the extent of freedom or flexibility granted in a particular situation, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "significant leeway" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to denote a considerable degree of freedom or flexibility in various contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage spans across news, science, and formal business domains. While alternatives like "considerable latitude" or "substantial flexibility" exist, "significant leeway" remains a versatile choice for conveying the extent of autonomy granted to individuals or entities, with guidance emphasizing the importance of defining the boundaries of this freedom to prevent overstatement or misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

considerable latitude

Emphasizes the extent of freedom in decision-making or action.

substantial flexibility

Focuses on the adaptability and range of options available.

ample discretion

Highlights the freedom to make judgments and choices independently.

marked freedom

Stresses the noticeable extent of liberty or autonomy.

notable latitude

Similar to 'considerable latitude' but emphasizes how observable the freedom is.

appreciable flexibility

Like 'substantial flexibility', but this version emphasizes the ability to be estimated or measured.

broad scope

Indicates a wide range of possibilities or applications.

extensive room

Highlights the amount of available space or opportunity for something.

substantial space

Emphasizes available room, either physical or metaphorical, to act within.

considerable space

Highlights that available space is worth of consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "significant leeway" in a sentence?

You can use "significant leeway" to describe situations where someone has a considerable amount of freedom or flexibility. For example: "The project manager gave the team "significant leeway" in how they approached the problem."

What's a good alternative to "significant leeway"?

Alternatives to "significant leeway" include "considerable latitude", "substantial flexibility", or "ample discretion". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "significant leeway" formal or informal?

"Significant leeway" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, alternatives like "considerable latitude" might be preferred.

What's the difference between "significant leeway" and "limited leeway"?

"Significant leeway" implies a large degree of freedom or flexibility, whereas "limited leeway" suggests the opposite – that the freedom or flexibility is restricted.