within three points

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within three points" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a range or margin of error, often in contexts like scoring, measurements, or evaluations. Example: "The candidates were evaluated, and the scores were very close, with only a difference of within three points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Three minutes later, Irish were within three points of Northampton.

The Guardian - Sport

"And we were also within three points of Brive.

The Guardian - Sport

This was the response United needed after Chelsea had closed to within three points.

The Guardian - Sport

Caminati struck a second penalty for his side, kicking Brive back to within three points before half-time.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2012, it was eight states within three points of the nationwide margin and 10 within five points.

The Guardian - Opinion

This defeat allowed Newcastle to within three points of them at the top, the Toon with a game in hand.

The Guardian - Sport

On Sunday Nick Cushing's side can move to within three points of a first top-flight title by beating Arsenal.

The Guardian - Sport

PSG's goalless draw with Lille left them as one of six teams within three points of the relegation zone.

The Guardian - Sport

This win puts Reading within three points of automatic promotion but McDermott refuses to think that far ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

Vancouver improved to 7-2-2-1, moving within three points of the first-place Avalanche in the Northwest Division.

The New York Times - Sports

He came within three points of defeating a candidate who won by 22 points two years ago.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within three points" to clearly indicate a narrow margin, especially in competitive contexts like sports or elections, ensuring the audience understands the closeness of the competition.

Common error

Avoid assuming that being "within three points" automatically signifies a major achievement or a significant threat; the importance depends entirely on the specific context and stakes involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within three points" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or verb, specifying a degree of closeness or a small difference, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Sport

30%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within three points" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a close margin or proximity, especially in competitive contexts like sports and elections. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used in news and media. While the phrase itself is straightforward, it's important to consider the context to fully understand its significance. Remember, being "within three points" may or may not be a substantial achievement, depending on the specific scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

separated by three points

Focuses on the separation between two entities, specifically quantified by three points.

a three-point margin

Highlights the existence of a margin, which is equivalent to three points.

trailing by three points

Emphasizes the act of following behind, with a specific point difference of three.

three points behind

States the distance behind another entity, measured in points.

a close three-point game

Describes a game or contest where the final score difference is only three points.

just three points away

Indicates a short distance or proximity, measured in points.

only three points separate them

Focuses on the small difference that divides two entities.

in striking distance

Implies being near enough to potentially overtake or achieve a goal.

neck and neck

Describes a situation where competitors are extremely close, with no significant advantage.

virtually tied

Indicates a situation where two or more entities have almost the same score or standing.

FAQs

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

You can use "within three points" to describe a situation where two or more entities are closely ranked or scored. For example, "The two teams were "within three points" of each other in the final standings."

What are some alternatives to saying "within three points"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "separated by three points", "a three-point margin", or "trailing by three points".

Is it always a good thing to be "within three points" of a goal?

Not necessarily. While being ""within three points"" indicates a close proximity, whether it's good depends on the specific goal and the effort required to close that gap. It could represent near success or near failure.

Which is correct, "within three points" or "inside three points"?

"Within three points" is the more common and generally preferred phrasing. "Inside three points" is less frequently used and may sound awkward to some native English speakers.