with a margin of error

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "with a margin of error" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in statistical contexts to indicate the range within which the true value is expected to fall, acknowledging potential inaccuracies in measurements or estimates. Example: "The survey results indicate that 60% of respondents support the initiative, with a margin of error of ±3%."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(The overall data come with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points).

The New York Times

The initial report is an estimate with a margin of error of around 100,000 people.

The New York Times - Magazine

The numbers come from a tiny survey with a margin of error of 400,000.

The New York Times

Hernández, 6-1 in the postseason, did not have the stuff to play with a margin of error tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

In all, 357 Republicans were surveyed about the primary, with a margin of error of 5 percentage points.

The New York Times

That was motivation enough for Torre to want to at least meet Saturday night with a margin of error.

The New York Times - Sports

With a margin of error of 2.5%, that puts everyone on an equal footing, around 10 points behind the president.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thirty-three percent were opposed and 16 percent undecided, with a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

The New York Times

They sampled 1,500 people nationwide, chosen by random dialing, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The New York Times - Travel

The poll found Mr. McGreevey leading 48percentto39percentcent among 505 likely voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

The New York Times

The expanded forecasts will be less exact, with a margin of error of about 350 miles, said Max Mayfield, director of the center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting survey results, always include "with a margin of error" to provide context for the reliability of the data.

Common error

Don't assume that if a poll shows 48% support for a candidate "with a margin of error" of 3%, the candidate is guaranteed to have between 45% and 51% support. The margin of error indicates a confidence interval, typically 95%, meaning there's a 5% chance the true value falls outside that range.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "with a margin of error" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a statement or statistic. It indicates the degree of uncertainty or potential variability in a measurement, estimate, or result. Ludwig's examples illustrate its widespread use in contexts where precision is limited by sampling or methodology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "with a margin of error" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the uncertainty inherent in statistical data. As Ludwig shows, it's frequently used in news reports, scientific studies, and encyclopedic entries. The phrase serves to provide context for the presented data, preventing misinterpretations and promoting realistic expectations. The provided examples highlight that the phrase is most common in the fields of News & Media and Science. While there are several alternative phrases, such as "within an error range of" or "subject to error", the core purpose remains: to acknowledge and quantify the potential for inaccuracy in a given estimate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plus or minus

Indicates the upper and lower bounds of a possible range around a central value.

within an error range of

Highlights the specific range within which the true value may lie.

with a degree of uncertainty

Emphasizes the presence of doubt or lack of precision in a value.

allowing for error

Implies an acknowledgement that some degree of error is possible or expected.

subject to error

Focuses on the susceptibility of a measurement or calculation to inaccuracies.

with some room for error

Highlights flexibility in the measurement

with a tolerance for error

Suggests an acceptable level of deviation from a precise value.

to a certain extent

Suggests limited accuracy.

more or less

Implies an approximate quantity.

give or take

Indicates an approximation.

FAQs

How is "with a margin of error" used in statistical analysis?

In statistical analysis, "with a margin of error" indicates the range within which the true population parameter is likely to fall. It quantifies the uncertainty associated with sample-based estimates. For example, a survey result might state "60% support the policy, with a margin of error of ±3%", meaning the true support likely lies between 57% and 63%.

What does it mean when a result is said to be "within the margin of error"?

If two results are "within the margin of error" of each other, it means the difference between them is not statistically significant. In other words, the observed difference could be due to random chance rather than a real difference in the populations being studied.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "with a margin of error"?

Alternatives to "with a margin of error" include phrases like "within an error range of", "subject to error", or "plus or minus", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does the sample size affect the "margin of error"?

The sample size is inversely proportional to the "margin of error". A larger sample size generally leads to a smaller "margin of error", because it provides a more precise estimate of the population parameter. Conversely, a smaller sample size results in a larger "margin of error".