a slight profit

USAGE SUMMARY

'a slight profit' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a small amount of profit made or expected to be made. For example, "The company reported a slight profit this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

In the period a year earlier, Swissair managed a slight profit of $1.8 million.

The New York Times

T-Mobile ended the year with a slight profit, and in 2016 they are both profitable, but the differential between the incumbent wireline-based wireless companies and the other carriers is enormous.

Huffington Post

It resulted in a slight profit for the lady's account.

The New Yorker

"Over all, the group expects to post a slight profit in terms of estimated net income," it said.

The New York Times

"We're going to be able to do that at a slight profit for the citizens of Milford".

The New York Times

Circuit City said that excluding remodeling and relocation costs, it expected to break even or have a slight profit when it reports second-quarter results on Sept. 18.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Fortress's private equity funds reported a slight gain in profit, to $31 million, as the value of their holdings rose 3.9 percent in the quarter.

The New York Times

Mainland bank Industrial and Commercial Bank of China rose by 4 Hong Kong cents (less than 1 cent), or 1.1%, to 3.58 Hong Kong dollars (46 cents), prior to issuing its fourth-quarter results, which showed just a slight gain in profits, which was more or less in line with analyst expectations.

Forbes

In 1767 Chatterton was apprenticed to a Bristol attorney but spent most of his time on his own writing, which for a while he turned to slight profit in Felix Farley's Bristol Journal and Town and Country Magazine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yahoo gained $1.23, to $18.26, after it reported a slight operating profit for the second quarter, although it posted a net loss.

The New York Times

He expects a slight operating profit this year.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting financial results, use "a slight profit" to honestly represent marginal gains without exaggerating success. For example, "Despite challenging market conditions, the company managed to achieve a slight profit."

Common error

Avoid overstating financial performance. Using "a slight profit" when the actual profit is substantial misrepresents the situation and can mislead stakeholders. Be precise in your reporting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight profit" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as the object or subject complement in a sentence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is valid and commonly used to describe a financial outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a slight profit" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to describe a small financial gain. Ludwig shows its usage across diverse contexts, mainly in news and business reporting. When using this phrase, it's crucial to maintain transparency and avoid exaggeration. Alternatives like "a marginal profit" or "a modest profit" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning. It is important to use "a slight profit" in situations where the context requires an honest and balanced representation of financial results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marginal profit

Emphasizes the small and potentially insignificant nature of the profit.

a small profit

A more straightforward and general term for a profit that isn't large.

a thin profit

Suggests the profit margin is narrow and could easily disappear.

a modest profit

Highlights the unassuming and reasonable size of the profit.

a slim profit

Similar to "thin profit", emphasizing the narrowness of the profit margin.

a minimal profit

Stresses that the profit is as small as it can possibly be.

a negligible profit

Indicates the profit is so small it's almost not worth considering.

a wafer-thin profit

A more emphatic way to describe how small and potentially insignificant the profit is.

break even

Indicates no profit or loss was made.

a minor gain

Broader term indicating a small positive increase, not necessarily monetary.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight profit" in a sentence?

You can use "a slight profit" to describe a situation where a business or venture has made a small amount of money. For example, "Despite the economic downturn, the company still managed to achieve "a slight profit" this quarter."

What's the difference between "a slight profit" and "a significant profit"?

"A slight profit" indicates a small gain, barely exceeding expenses, while "a significant profit" means a substantial and noteworthy financial gain. The terms differ in the scale and impact of the profit achieved.

What can I say instead of "a slight profit"?

You can use alternatives like "a marginal profit", "a small profit", or "a modest profit" depending on the context. Each option subtly adjusts the emphasis on the size and impact of the profit.

Is it better to report "a slight profit" or no profit at all?

Reporting "a slight profit" is generally better than reporting no profit, as it indicates some positive financial performance. However, transparency is key, so it's important to provide context and not overstate the significance of "a slight profit".