within a few points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within a few points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing measurements, scores, or values that are close to each other, typically in contexts like statistics or assessments. Example: "The final scores were all very close, with the top three contestants finishing within a few points of each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

A week ago, one such poll put Mr. Franks within a few points of Mr. Corzine.

The New York Times

"They are within a few points of each other these days," he said.

The New York Times

Until Federer makes that confidence evaporate within a few points, that is.

The New York Times

This is Trump running for President, and, according to the latest polls, he's within a few points of the lead.

The New Yorker

Consider the cases of four incumbents who came within a few points of losing or winning in the last 65 years.

The Guardian - Opinion

As for Suárez, he was far and away the Premier League's best player last season, dragging a flawed team, Liverpool, within a few points of the title.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

A decline in swing voters would help explain why Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney have stayed within just a few points of each other, across many polls, despite months of a gyrating economy and attacks on both candidates.

The New York Times

Recent polls show that voters are tired of it and they're not going to put up with it anymore, which is why we are now within just a few points.

Huffington Post

That's down a few points, which is within the margin of error of the poll, which was taken over an inordinately long period of time, nearly two weeks.

Huffington Post

Indeed, this examination is no longer considered relevant because students' scores may differ by a matter of a few points (7800 students within 400 points in 2011) or a few dozen points, which leads to a selection based on criteria such as year of birth or score on the first dossier.

BMC Medical Education

These very low concentrations of the antimicrobial in the gut of untreated animals could promote a selection advantage to bacteria in which a few point mutations within the genes give rise to the extended spectrum phenotype [ 43].

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within a few points" to clearly indicate a small difference or margin, especially in numerical data or competitive situations. For example, "The candidates were within a few points in the latest poll."

Common error

Be careful to differentiate between "points" and "percentage points". Use "percentage points" when discussing differences between percentages (e.g., "The approval rating increased by 5 percentage points"), and "points" for other numerical scores or values.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within a few points" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating proximity or a small difference between two numerical values, scores, or positions. As shown in Ludwig, this construction is used to express that the compared entities are close to each other.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Science

12%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "within a few points" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express a small difference between numerical values or scores. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to describe close competitions, poll results, or statistical data. To ensure clarity, differentiate between "points" and "percentage points" when discussing percentages. Consider using alternatives like "separated by a small margin" or "closely matched" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not far apart

Simply states that the distance or difference between two things is minimal.

almost equal

Highlights the near equivalence of two values or quantities.

closely matched

Emphasizes the similarity and competitiveness between the entities being compared.

nearly identical

Emphasizes how closely the two compared items resemble each other.

separated by a small margin

Focuses on the difference between two values, highlighting that it is small.

a narrow gap

Focuses on the small space or difference between two things.

neck and neck

Specifically describes a close race or competition where participants are nearly tied.

in striking distance

Indicates being close enough to achieve a goal or overtake a competitor.

in close proximity

Describes values or positions that are situated very near to each other.

a hair's breadth away

Idiomatic expression suggesting something is very close to happening or being achieved.

FAQs

What does "within a few points" mean?

The phrase "within a few points" means that two values or scores are very close to each other, indicating a small difference or margin between them.

How can I use "within a few points" in a sentence?

You can use "within a few points" to describe close scores or values, such as "The teams were "closely matched", finishing within a few points of each other".

What are some alternatives to "within a few points"?

Alternatives include "separated by a small margin", "almost equal", or "not far apart", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "within a few points" when discussing percentages?

While you can use "within a few points" generally, it's more precise to use "within a few percentage points" when the values being compared are percentages. The term emphasizes that the difference is between two percentage values.