thin margin

USAGE SUMMARY

"thin margin" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a very narrow difference between two things. For example, "The election was incredibly close, with the winner barely winning by a thin margin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

Currently, Labour hold it by a razor thin margin.

The Guardian

The thin margin can be reversed with energetic campaigning.

The New York Times

In 2014, she was re-elected by a thin margin after an especially divisive campaign.

The New York Times

That thin margin could set off recounts, lawsuits and runoffs across the nation.

The New York Times

However, last‐minute polls give Mr. Prouty only a thin margin.

The New York Times

Modern elections are fought over a thin margin in the middle.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

He won his 2002 election with a razor-thin margin.

The New York Times

Do you find that disheartening, or is his razor-thin margin of victory a positive sign?

Harvard University

The Coalition is still ahead, but on the wafer-thin margin of 2%.

The Guardian

In the initial returns, Mr. Siegelman appeared to have won by a razor-thin margin.

The New York Times

Proposition L was defeated by a paper-thin margin of 0.4percentt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing numerical data or statistics, pair the phrase "thin margin" with precise figures or percentages to enhance clarity and impact. For example, "The candidate won by a thin margin of just 0.5%."

Common error

Avoid using "thin margin" when a larger or more comfortable difference exists. Overstating the narrowness can mislead readers and weaken your argument. Ensure the context genuinely reflects a small difference or precarious situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin margin" functions as a noun phrase, where "thin" modifies the noun "margin". It describes the degree or extent of a difference or advantage. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage in various contexts, describing political elections, sports results, and business outcomes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thin margin" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a slight difference between two things, as also confirmed by Ludwig AI. It frequently appears in contexts related to news, politics, business, and sports, emphasizing the precariousness or uncertainty of a situation. While it's suitable for neutral to formal registers, it's crucial to avoid overstating the narrowness of the difference. Alternatives like "slight advantage" or "narrow lead" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight advantage

Replaces "margin" with a synonym emphasizing the beneficial aspect of the small difference.

narrow lead

Focuses on situations where one entity is ahead, but only by a small amount.

marginal difference

A more formal way of saying "small difference", often used in statistical contexts.

small difference

A more general term highlighting the lack of a significant distinction.

tight gap

Emphasizes a narrow space or interval between two points or entities.

razor's edge

Idiomatic expression signifying a precarious situation with minimal room for error.

fine line

Emphasizes the subtlety and potential instability of the distinction.

hair's breadth

An idiomatic expression emphasizing how close something is to not happening.

slim chance

Highlights the low probability of success or a positive outcome.

close call

Focuses on a situation where a negative outcome was narrowly avoided.

FAQs

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

You can use "thin margin" to describe a slight difference between two values or entities, as in "The team won the game by a "thin margin" of only one point".

What can I say instead of "thin margin"?

You can use alternatives like "slight advantage", "narrow lead", or "small difference" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "razor thin margin"?

Yes, "razor "thin margin"" is a commonly used variation that emphasizes the extreme narrowness of the difference.

What's the difference between "thin margin" and "wide margin"?

"Thin margin" implies a very small difference, while "wide margin" suggests a substantial and easily noticeable difference between two values or entities.