a positive return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a positive return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, investment, or any situation where a beneficial outcome is expected or achieved. Example: "Investing in renewable energy has proven to yield a positive return for our company over the past five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a result, they both have a positive return and positively affect the return of the other technology.

IZA Journal of Migration

For us, that indicates a positive Return on Investment.

Harvard Business Review

But not every vaccine has a positive return.

The New York Times

Not a single large market enjoyed a positive return.

The Economist

The analysis also finds a positive return to public investment in basic biomedical research.

Research Policy

On every sale completed we have achieved a positive return," McLennan says.

The Guardian - Money

She has experienced a positive return to work at television production company Wall to Wall.

The Guardian - Money

And it would give Japanese households a positive return on their savings.

The New York Times

Finally, maintain a portfolio mindset, knowing that not every investment will generate a positive return.

Harvard Business Review

Projects that did not yield a positive return were analyzed carefully and then analyzed again.

Harvard Business Review

Capitalism depends on giving a positive return to suppliers of capital.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, quantify "a positive return" with specific percentages or amounts to strengthen your argument and provide concrete evidence of success. For example, 'The project yielded a positive return of 15% in the first year.'

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a positive return" is solely due to one factor. Analyze all contributing elements to avoid misattributing success and to accurately replicate positive outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a positive return" functions primarily as a noun phrase, with 'positive' modifying 'return'. It identifies a beneficial outcome or profit resulting from an investment or action. As Ludwig AI explains, it is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

12%

Reference

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a positive return" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that signifies a beneficial outcome, especially in financial and investment contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, highlighting its frequent use in sectors such as news, science, and business. When writing, consider quantifying "a positive return" with specific numbers for greater impact and avoid attributing the return to a single factor without a comprehensive analysis. Remember that while a financial reward is expected, a "successful investment" could also have other returns that are positive and not measured in currency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a favorable yield

Replaces 'return' with 'yield', emphasizing the income or profit generated from an investment.

a profitable outcome

Substitutes 'return' with 'outcome', focusing on the beneficial result of an action or investment.

a successful investment

Replaces the entire phrase to focus on the investment being successful, implying a positive return.

a beneficial result

Uses 'beneficial result' instead of 'positive return', broadening the context beyond just financial returns.

a rewarding gain

Replaces 'return' with 'gain' and adds 'rewarding' to emphasize the satisfying aspect of the profit.

a worthwhile investment

Indicates that the investment was valuable and produced a positive outcome.

a fruitful endeavor

Shifts the focus to the effort put in, suggesting the endeavor was productive and yielded positive results.

a valuable asset

Focuses on the inherent value of something that provides benefits.

an advantageous result

Highlights the favorable nature of the result obtained.

a remunerative outcome

Emphasizes that the outcome produced financial compensation or reward.

FAQs

How can I use "a positive return" in a sentence about business?

In a business context, you might say, "The company's investment in employee training resulted in "a positive return", as evidenced by increased productivity and reduced turnover."

What's a simpler way to say "a positive return"?

You could use phrases like "profitable outcome", "favorable yield", or "successful investment" as simpler alternatives to "a positive return", depending on the specific context.

In finance, is any return considered "a positive return"?

No, in finance, "a positive return" specifically indicates that the investment has yielded a profit or gain, meaning the ending value is higher than the initial investment. A negative return, conversely, means a loss.

Is it redundant to say "a positive return on investment"?

While "return" often implies a return on investment, specifying "return on investment" can add clarity, especially when discussing returns in non-financial contexts. It depends on whether the investment aspect is already clear, otherwise, it can be a bit redundant with "a positive return".