small margin for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small margin for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing limited flexibility or allowance in a particular situation, often in contexts like decision-making or risk assessment. Example: "There is a small margin for error in this experiment, so we must be very precise with our measurements."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Small margin for error.

The Guardian - Sport

That small margin for error has vanished.

The New York Times - Sports

It's such a small margin for error.

The Washington Post

Ferrero's small margin for error caught up with him.

The New York Times - Sports

Perhaps Mussina is perturbed about having such a small margin for error.

The New York Times - Sports

Quarterback Kerry Collins is presiding over an offensive operation with a small margin for error.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Hernandez has not won in about a month, and he assumes responsibility for that, but the fact is, he and the other Yankee pitchers have been operating with very small margins for error.

The New York Times - Sports

Hence the £59.99 starting price for a Makie doll, which Taylor says leaves "very small margins" for MakieLab, although she hopes to improve them over time as the business scales up – ultimately bringing the price including extras under £50, and ideally under £40.

The Guardian - Tech

You're very likely, too, to hear them talking, sometimes overtly, sometimes not, about the loss of a way of life — the government regulations that make it harder to make a living as a commercial fisherman, the vanishingly small margins for doing the dangerous work they do, the way this place where they've made their home is less recognizable to them with each passing year.

The New York Times - Magazine

This is primarily because of the scope of competition in that domain and the small margins for which every operator is competing to gain an advantage.

Forbes

This is the critical point, because we found that there are only small margins for increasing (technical and scale) efficiency in the European milk production sector.

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "small margin for", clearly define what the limited allowance pertains to. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the consequences of exceeding the "small margin for". Present realistic outcomes rather than sensationalizing potential failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small margin for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating a limited allowance or tolerance. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "small margin for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes limited flexibility or tolerance in various situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business, indicating its versatility. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly define the scope of the limitation and avoid exaggerating the potential consequences. Alternatives like "slim margin for" or "narrow margin for" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis. The phrase's authoritative presence in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness for conveying precision and caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slim margin for

Emphasizes the narrowness of the allowance.

little margin for

Highlights the scarcity of allowance.

narrow margin for

Focuses on the reduced scope of allowance.

minimal margin for

Stresses the bare minimum of allowance available.

limited margin for

Indicates a restriction on the available allowance.

tight margin for

Highlights the strictness and lack of leeway.

restricted margin for

Focuses on imposed constraints on allowance.

reduced margin for

Indicates a decrease in the allowance previously available.

meager margin for

Emphasizes the inadequacy of the allowance.

insufficient margin for

Highlights the lack of adequate allowance.

FAQs

How can I use "small margin for" in a sentence?

You can use "small margin for" to indicate limited flexibility or tolerance in a situation. For example, "There's a small margin for error in this experiment, so accuracy is crucial."

What are some alternatives to "small margin for"?

Alternatives include "slim margin for", "narrow margin for", or "limited margin for", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small margin for error" or "little margin for error"?

Both "small margin for error" and "little margin for error" are acceptable, but "small" is generally more common in formal writing. The choice depends on the desired tone and context.

What does it mean when something has a "small margin for" something else?

It implies that there's not much room for deviation or mistakes regarding that aspect. A "small margin for" error, for example, means that even minor errors could have significant consequences.