a negative return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to describe an investment that has lost value or yielded a loss. Example: "Investing in that startup resulted in a negative return, as the company went bankrupt shortly after the investment was made."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On average, arts degrees show a negative return.

The Economist

If the converse is true, then you have a negative return to security selection.

Yale University

The idea of making money earn a negative return is not entirely new.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, a negative return is outperforming" that benchmark in the last 18 months, he said.

The New York Times

Only in 2008 did the IPD index of global commercial property show a negative return.

The Economist

Many other policy responses would have a negative return on investment.

The New York Times

Investors in junk-bond mutual funds suffered a negative return of roughly 25 percent in 2008.

The New York Times

Investors who bought the stock in the late '90s have received a negative return of about 40percentt.

The New York Times

This year through Thursday, the REIT composite index compiled by the trade association had a negative return of 11.39 percent.

The New York Times

But, he said, "Most foundations will have a negative return, so that is the decline in giving power.

The New York Times

It's not surprising that many people we spoke with believe that exit interviews have a negative return on investment.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, clarify the time frame over which the "negative return" occurred to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "negative return" when you mean "no return". A "negative return" indicates a loss, while "no return" suggests the investment simply broke even, without either profit or loss.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative return" functions as a noun phrase, where 'negative' modifies the noun 'return'. It describes the state of an investment or venture resulting in a loss. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, confirming its proper grammatical role in financial and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a negative return" is a commonly used phrase describing a financial loss or underperformance in investments. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. The phrase is most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and formal business contexts, highlighting its relevance in financial discussions. It's crucial to differentiate "a negative return" from "no return", as the former signifies a loss, while the latter means breaking even. When using the phrase, specify the time frame for clarity. Semantically related alternatives include "a loss" and "an unfavorable outcome". Overall, understanding and using "a negative return" correctly is essential for clear communication in financial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a loss

Simplifies the expression to a basic term for financial detriment.

an underperforming investment

Specifies that the investment did not meet expectations.

a failed investment

Indicates a complete lack of success in the investment.

an unfavorable outcome

Focuses on the undesirable result of an investment or action.

a losing proposition

Highlights the unprofitable nature of a deal or venture.

a poor yield

Highlights the low level of profit generated by an investment.

a deficit

Refers to a situation where liabilities exceed assets or expenses exceed revenue.

a financial setback

Emphasizes the adverse impact on financial progress.

a disappointing result

Conveys the sense of unmet expectations in terms of profit.

no gain

Indicates the absence of any profit or increase in value.

FAQs

How to use "a negative return" in a sentence?

You can use "a negative return" to describe investments or actions that result in a loss. For example, "Due to the market crash, many investors experienced "a negative return" on their stock portfolios".

What can I say instead of "a negative return"?

You can use alternatives like "a loss", "an unfavorable outcome", or "an underperforming investment" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a negative return" or "negative returns"?

Both "a negative return" and "negative returns" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "A negative return" refers to a singular instance or general concept, while "negative returns" refers to multiple instances or a trend. For example, "The stock experienced "a negative return" this quarter," versus "The fund has shown negative returns for the past three years".

What's the difference between "a negative return" and "no return"?

"A negative return" indicates that an investment has lost money, resulting in a loss. "No return", on the other hand, means that the investment neither gained nor lost value; it simply broke even. For example, a savings account with zero percent interest would provide "no return", but an investment that loses money results in "a negative return".