asset

USAGE SUMMARY

"asset" is a perfectly valid word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a valuable item or resource, or as an adjective to describe something as being valuable or advantageous. For example: "This new computer technology is an important asset to our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

"Yanis Varoufakis is an important asset for the government and the country.

The Guardian - Business

The budget underlined this plan, which means the amount of gross government debt outstanding will grow with the size of the economy, year in, year out, even when the government returns to surplus and the proceeds from asset sales flow to the government and bolster the headline cash budget balance.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the whole, the results do show a clear correlation between asset strength and brand reputation.

The Guardian

Boats are occasionally owned outright, but more often are subject to loans, or are the direct asset of another person in the village.

The Guardian - Opinion

Abbott said millions of Australians had home mortgages and the last thing they wanted to see was a decline in the value of their most important asset.

The Guardian

With political officers in London telling Sri Lanka that Labour was almost certain to lose coming elections, Fox was seen in Colombo as a major potential asset.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

The European Central Bank is already doing "whatever it takes" to keep the Eurozone ship afloat: interest rates have been lowered to negative territory (the first time this has been done by a major central bank), and additional measures such as longer-term refinancing operation schemes (TLTROs) and an asset-backed securities (ABS) purchasing programme are in effect.

The Guardian - Business

The chief economist at the BIS in the runup to the crisis was Bill White, who issued many a perceptive warning about the unsustainability of asset-price inflation at the time.

The Guardian - Business

Monroe describes in intricate detail how she had asset-stripped her life to pay the bills: sold her watch, iPhone and TV.

The Guardian

All three are expected to be put to international tender as part of an asset-stripping drive aimed at trimming the twice-bailout country's monumental debt load.

The Guardian

It is widely recognised that measuring return on capital employed is misleading for asset-light companies such as train operating companies (which primarily lease their rolling stock and, indeed, invest small amounts in tangible assets).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "asset" in a financial context, specify whether you're referring to current assets (easily convertible to cash) or fixed assets (long-term investments).

Common error

Ensure you're not using "asset" when you actually mean "liability". An asset adds value or benefit, while a liability represents a debt or obligation. Double-check the context to avoid this common mistake.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "asset" is as a noun, referring to something of value or a resource. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "asset" functions as the subject or object of a sentence. For instance, "These shares are a valuable asset."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "asset" is a versatile noun that denotes something valuable or beneficial. As evidenced by Ludwig's numerous examples, it frequently appears in contexts ranging from finance and business to personal qualities and strategic resources. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used, making it a valuable term to understand and employ effectively. Remember to distinguish it from "liability" and specify the type of "asset" when relevant for clarity. The word is very common, being most prevalent in News & Media and Formal & Business domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

valuable resource

Emphasizes the resource aspect of an asset.

advantage

Focuses on the beneficial aspect.

property

Highlights ownership and tangible value.

capital

Relates to financial value and investment.

strength

Focuses on the inherent positive qualities.

advantageous quality

Highlights beneficial attributes.

positive attribute

General term for a good quality.

valuable holding

Emphasizes possession and worth.

key strength

Highlights an important element of resilience.

helpful element

Focuses on the supporting nature of the asset.

FAQs

How can I use the word "asset" in a sentence?

You can use "asset" to describe anything valuable or beneficial, such as "The company's most valuable asset is its employees" or "His experience is a great asset to the team".

What is a good synonym for "asset" in a business context?

In a business context, you can often use alternatives like "resource", "capital", or "property", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between an "asset" and a "liability"?

An "asset" is something that has value and can generate income or benefit, while a "liability" is a debt or obligation that needs to be paid. They are opposites in financial terms.

Is it correct to use "asset" to describe a person?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable. Describing someone as an "asset" means they are valuable and beneficial to a team, organization, or endeavor. For example, "She is a valuable asset to our team".