Collocations for margin - noun
1. empty space at the side of a page in a book, etc.
ADJECTIVE
generous,
wide
Leave a generous margin on the left.
Leave a generous margin on the left.
narrow
left, right
left-hand, right-hand
left, right
left-hand, right-hand
PREPOSITION
at the margin
Start writing at the left-hand margin.
Start writing at the left-hand margin.
in the margin
She scribbled notes in the margin.
She scribbled notes in the margin.
2. space, time, votes, etc. by which sth is won
ADJECTIVE
winning
The winning margin was only 8 seconds.
The winning margin was only 8 seconds.
comfortable,
considerable,
greater,
large,
substantial,
wide
She was not daunted by this substantial margin of defeat.
She was not daunted by this substantial margin of defeat.
huge,
overwhelming
The amendment passed by an overwhelming margin.
The amendment passed by an overwhelming margin.
narrow,
razor-thin (esp. AmE),
slim,
small
The election is likely to be decided by razor-thin margins.
The election is likely to be decided by razor-thin margins.
clear,
safe
three-to-one, two-to-one
Her book outsold his by almost a two-to-one margin.
three-to-one, two-to-one
Her book outsold his by almost a two-to-one margin.
1 000-vote,
20-second,
etc.
He claimed the title with a slim 134 000-vote margin.
He claimed the title with a slim 134 000-vote margin.
PREPOSITION
by a margin
She won by a clear margin.
She won by a clear margin.
margin over
He had an 18-second margin over his nearest rival.
He had an 18-second margin over his nearest rival.
PHRASES
by the largest, narrowest, etc. of margins
He won by the narrowest of margins.
He won by the narrowest of margins.
a margin of victory
3. amount of extra space, time, etc.
ADJECTIVE
good,
greater,
wide
Sales predictions are open to wide margins of error.
Sales predictions are open to wide margins of error.
narrow
adequate
generous
safety
adequate
generous
safety
VERB + margin
allow (sb/sth),
give (sb/sth),
leave,
provide
The device gives a greater margin of safety.
The device gives a greater margin of safety.
PREPOSITION
margin for
We have substantial reserves, which provide a good margin for uncertainties.
We have substantial reserves, which provide a good margin for uncertainties.
PHRASES
a margin for error,
a margin of error
The schedule left no margin for error.
The schedule left no margin for error.
a margin of safety
4. profit
ADJECTIVE
fat (esp. AmE),
high,
large
The company relies on fat margins from luxury models.
The company relies on fat margins from luxury models.
low,
narrow,
razor-thin (esp. AmE),
small,
thin,
tight
We're working to rather tight profit margins.
How does the company get by with such razor-thin margins?
We're working to rather tight profit margins.
How does the company get by with such razor-thin margins?
negative
(esp. AmE)
gross, net
profit
operating, pre-tax, retail (esp. BrE)
average
Today, average margins have slipped to just 4%.
gross, net
profit
operating, pre-tax, retail (esp. BrE)
average
Today, average margins have slipped to just 4%.
VERB + margin
achieve,
have
These manufacturers have high gross margins.
These manufacturers have high gross margins.
operate at,
operate on
improve, increase
Higher productivity has enabled them to increase their profit margins.
improve, increase
Higher productivity has enabled them to increase their profit margins.
cut,
cut into,
erode,
reduce,
squeeze
Price rises have eroded profit margins.
Price rises have eroded profit margins.
PREPOSITION
at a margin
They are operating at very low margins.
They are operating at very low margins.
margin on
They hope to improve their margins on computers.
They hope to improve their margins on computers.