the margin of error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the margin of error" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in statistical contexts to indicate the amount of error that can be expected in a measurement or estimate. Example: "The survey results show a margin of error of plus or minus 3%, which is acceptable for our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"It's within the margin of error".

The New York Times

The margin of error is surprisingly wide.

The New Yorker

(The margin of error is 4 percent).

The New York Times

The margin of error was tiny.

The Guardian - Sport

The margin of error is crucial.

The Guardian

That is within the margin of error.

The New York Times

What is the margin of error?

The New York Times

The margin of error is too great.

The New York Times

The margin of error was six points.

The New York Times

The margin of error is too slim.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It puts us in the margin-of-error range".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing survey results or statistical data, always state "the margin of error" to provide context for the reliability and accuracy of the findings. This helps avoid misinterpretations of the data.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a small "margin of error" automatically equates to high accuracy. A small margin only reflects the precision of the measurement itself, not necessarily the validity or relevance of the data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the margin of error" functions as a noun phrase that specifies the degree of uncertainty or potential deviation in a statistical estimate or measurement. It is often used to qualify the reliability of data, as seen in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the margin of error" is a common noun phrase used to describe the degree of uncertainty or potential deviation in statistical results. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, to provide context for interpreting data. When writing, it's crucial to include the margin of error to avoid misinterpretations and to accurately represent the reliability of the data. Remember, a small margin of error doesn't automatically guarantee high accuracy but rather reflects the precision of the measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the error range

This alternative focuses on the extent of potential inaccuracies.

the uncertainty range

This phrase emphasizes the lack of certainty in a measurement.

the confidence interval

This term specifies a range within which a value is likely to fall, given a certain level of confidence.

the tolerance level

This phrase indicates the permissible deviation from a specified value.

the degree of uncertainty

This emphasizes the amount of doubt or lack of precision.

the permissible error

This refers to the amount of error that is acceptable.

the statistical error

This term highlights that the error is related to statistical calculations.

the sampling error

This specifies that the error arises from the sampling process.

the measurement error

This indicates that the error occurred during measurement.

the potential for error

This alternative focuses on the possibility of mistakes occurring.

FAQs

How do I interpret "the margin of error" in a research study?

The "margin of error" indicates the range within which the true population value is likely to fall. A smaller margin suggests greater precision in the study's findings.

What does it mean when results are described as 'within "the margin of error"'?

If results between two groups or time periods are within "the margin of error", it suggests that the observed differences might be due to random chance rather than actual differences. This is similar to the idea of "statistically insignificant".

Which factors influence "the margin of error" in a survey?

Several factors influence "the margin of error", including the sample size (larger samples generally have smaller margins), the population variability, and the confidence level desired.

How does "the margin of error" relate to the concept of statistical significance?

"The margin of error" helps determine whether differences observed in a sample are likely to reflect true differences in the population or are simply due to random variation. It is closely tied to assessing statistical significance, as results within "the margin of error" may not be considered significantly different.