what is the margin of error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is the margin of error" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about the degree of uncertainty or potential error in a statistical estimate or measurement. Example: "In our survey results, we found that the margin of error is plus or minus 3%, which is acceptable for our research."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What is the margin of error?

The New York Times

A legitimate question being asked post-game is what is the margin of error for goal-line technology?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Let's start here: What is a margin of error?

Huffington Post

That is within the margin of error.

The New York Times

The advantage is within the margin of error.

Huffington Post

What about the margin of error?

Huffington Post

"It's within the margin of error".

The New York Times

Any of the changes are within the margin of error.

The Guardian - Opinion

Again, it's "within the margin of error".

Huffington Post

Such a movement is well within the margin of error.

The Guardian - Opinion

That lead, too, is well within the margin of error.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the confidence level associated with the "margin of error" (e.g., 95% confidence level).

Common error

Avoid assuming that results outside the stated "margin of error" are impossible; it indicates a lower probability, not impossibility. Statistical estimates are probabilistic and can vary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is the margin of error" serves as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to request information about the degree of uncertainty or potential error in a statistical estimate or measurement. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "what is the margin of error" is a grammatically correct and commonly used interrogative phrase that seeks information about the uncertainty in statistical estimates. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, this phrase is crucial for understanding the reliability of data from polls, surveys, and scientific studies. Alternatives such as "error range" and "degree of uncertainty" offer similar meanings. When using or interpreting data with a "margin of error", it's vital to understand the confidence level and factors influencing its size to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

error range

Focuses on the span within which the true value likely falls.

confidence interval width

Highlights the statistical measure of reliability in estimation.

degree of uncertainty

Emphasizes the level of doubt associated with a particular result.

potential for deviation

Stresses the possibility of results differing from the actual value.

acceptable error level

Indicates the tolerance for inaccuracies in a specific context.

statistical uncertainty

Specifies the imprecision inherent in statistical calculations.

measurement variability

Highlights the extent to which measurements differ from each other.

limit of precision

Focuses on the boundary within which results can be considered reliable.

range of accuracy

Highlights the extent to which a measurement can be considered true.

tolerance for error

Indicates the acceptable amount of error in a process or result.

FAQs

How do I interpret "what is the margin of error" in a survey?

The "margin of error" indicates the range within which the survey results likely reflect the true population values. A smaller margin of error suggests greater precision.

What factors influence "what is the margin of error" in a study?

Sample size, population variability, and confidence level affect the "margin of error". Larger samples generally lead to smaller margins of error.

How does the confidence level relate to "what is the margin of error"?

A higher confidence level (e.g., 99% vs. 95%) results in a larger "margin of error", indicating a greater certainty that the true value falls within the range.

What are some alternatives to "what is the margin of error" when discussing statistical uncertainty?

You can use terms like "error range", "confidence interval width", or "degree of uncertainty" to convey similar concepts of imprecision. For example, instead of "what is the margin of error", you could ask about the "error range".