The phrase "a respectable return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the expected or achieved outcome of an investment, effort, or action that is considered satisfactory or commendable.
Example: "After several years of hard work, the company finally saw a respectable return on its investment in new technology."
Alternatives: "a commendable return" or "a satisfactory return".
But grant that everything I've written here is just too pessimistic and that five years from now we see that the government hasn't lost a dime on the bailouts or that it even booked a respectable return north of 5% a year.
But by staying small, local and unchanged, Lamston has achieved more than a respectable return.
On the opening kickoff, the Bruins Tabb Perry found a lane and seemed headed for a respectable return.
But he made a respectable return to his major league team Friday against Baltimore in an exhibition game, giving up one hit in three shutout innings as the Mets beat the Orioles, 4-0.
They haven't missed a play-off since practically the dawn of play-offs, they are scoring some wonderful tries, and three wins from five is a respectable return from the opening few weeks of this season.
The answer: Sell while you still can get a respectable return and move to a smaller residence.
All the star power and extravagant spending — a budget reportedly near $300 million — couldn't get the Superman-Batman-Wonder Woman film to a baseline respectable return of $110 million.
Thanks to DVD and pay-TV sales and foreign box office, Boll has managed to make a somewhat respectable return on movies that might otherwise appear to be total stinkbombs.
IT'S GOOD... BUT IT'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH "Werder Bremen went out of the Champions League despite an extremely respectable return of 10 points," notes Sandy Williams.
And during the "Lost Decade," the nickname for the decade ending in 2010 that relates to the stock market's paltry returns during the period, the portfolio earned a respectable annualized return of 5.9 percent.
Last year, Deutsche's investment bank earned a respectable 28 percent return on equity, before tax.
