Work & careers

a margin for error

room for mistakes

A margin for error is extra time, money, or space that allows for mistakes or unexpected problems.

B2 common speech & writing

expression

Hear it in real life

Can we finish the report by Friday?

Maybe, but there's very little margin for error.

Play the conversation

We should leave a margin for error because the delivery time is only an estimate.

The mistake everyone makes

Not: leave a margin to error

Say: leave a margin for error

The fixed phrase uses the preposition "for," not "to," before "error."

Build it

How it fits in a sentence.

leave a margin for error; allow for a margin for error; have little margin for error

Your turn: say it out loud

We should leave a margin for error because the delivery time is only an estimate.

Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.

a margin for error

room for mistakes

“We should leave a margin for error because the delivery time is only an estimate.”

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