a satisfactory return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a satisfactory return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to investments, business, or any situation where a positive outcome or profit is expected. Example: "Investors are looking for a satisfactory return on their investments to ensure financial growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

What would be a satisfactory return against the Scots?

Independent

Yet activity has increased by a paltry 6% - not exactly a satisfactory return on an investment.

The Guardian

It's a satisfactory return for PGA Tour, but still a work in progress.

The Guardian - Tech

There are many ways to realize a satisfactory return on this investment.

The New York Times

An earlier partnership, Silver Screen Partners II, started in January 1985, has had a satisfactory return of 13percentt.

The New York Times

A struggling advertising agency or software company may show what seems like a satisfactory return on assets largely because it has so few of them.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And that's a pretty satisfactory return.

Forbes

40 41 Despite this, one must consider this as a most satisfactory return indicating external validity.

BMJ Open

Finally, a massive explosion in government revenues (e.g. the newly introduced oil export tariff alone is expected to add another $1.5 billion per year) makes it close to impossible for the governmental apparatus to identify and supervise a sufficient number of new spending projects with a satisfactory social return.

Stanford University

Stronger fundamentals, of course, increase the potential for future satisfactory return on investment.

Harvard Business Review

The Pixies reunited in 2004 to hysteria front of house and, you imagine, some satisfactory return backstage.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, clearly define what constitutes "a satisfactory return" for the specific context. Provide benchmarks or expected percentages to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a satisfactory return" without specifying the investment or activity. Instead of saying 'We expect a satisfactory return', specify 'We expect a satisfactory return on our marketing investment'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a satisfactory return" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "satisfactory" modifies the noun "return." It describes the quality or nature of the return, indicating that it meets a certain standard or expectation. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is suitable for various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a satisfactory return" is a commonly used phrase that describes an acceptable or adequate outcome, often in the context of investments or efforts. As Ludwig AI has shown, it's grammatically correct and used across diverse fields such as news, science, and business, maintaining a generally neutral tone. While alternatives like "an acceptable profit" or "an adequate yield" exist, defining expectations is crucial for effective communication and to avoid ambiguity. Finally, despite its varied uses, always ensure the context is clear to prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an acceptable profit

Focuses specifically on the financial gain, implying a minimum level of profitability that meets expectations.

an adequate yield

Emphasizes the amount produced or gained, suggesting that the return is sufficient for a particular purpose.

a reasonable outcome

Highlights the result of a process or action, indicating that the outcome is fair and justifiable.

a sufficient benefit

Focuses on the advantage gained, implying that the benefit is enough to meet a specific need or objective.

a worthwhile gain

Emphasizes the value of the profit or increase, suggesting that the effort or investment was justified.

a favorable result

Highlights that the result of a test or action is good, advantageous or positive.

a positive yield

Highlights the beneficial nature of an action. Suitable mostly for economy related topics.

a decent profit

Indicates that the financial gain is respectable and meets a certain standard of quality.

a fair compensation

Focuses on the payment or reimbursement received, implying that it is just and equitable.

a gratifying reward

Emphasizes the satisfying nature of the prize or recompense, suggesting that it brings pleasure or fulfillment.

FAQs

How can I use "a satisfactory return" in a sentence?

You can use "a satisfactory return" to describe an acceptable profit or result from an investment or endeavor. For example, "The company aimed for "a satisfactory return" on their initial investment within five years".

What's the difference between "a satisfactory return" and "a high return"?

"A satisfactory return" indicates an acceptable or adequate profit that meets expectations, while "a high return" implies a significantly greater profit or yield than expected. "A satisfactory return" is subjective and depends on the initial expectations.

What are some alternatives to saying "a satisfactory return"?

Some alternatives to "a satisfactory return" include "an acceptable profit", "an adequate yield", or "a reasonable outcome", depending on the context.

Is it always about money? What is "a satisfactory return" beyond finance?

While often used in financial contexts, "a satisfactory return" can also apply to non-monetary situations. It means that the results or benefit one receive are what one find "acceptable or adequate", whether it's in effort, time, or resources.