be profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the potential for a business or investment to generate profit. Example: "Our goal for this quarter is to ensure that all new projects will be profitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We'll be profitable in success.

The New York Times

Can digital journalism be profitable?

Columbia University

It would already be profitable for Olivetti.

The Economist

The store has to be profitable".

The New York Times

Second, investing ethically can be profitable.

Independent

Online pet stores can be profitable.

The New York Times

E-books, moreover, can be profitable.

The New York Times

And it can be profitable.

The New York Times - Food

"To survive, publishing must be profitable.

The Guardian - Books

He once believed Nest could be profitable.

The New York Times

Still, selling in airports can be profitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business ventures, clearly define what metrics will determine if the venture has become "profitable". Consider factors beyond immediate revenue, such as long-term sustainability and market share.

Common error

Avoid equating high revenue with "being profitable". Remember that profitability considers all costs, including expenses and overhead. A business can have significant revenue and still not be profitable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be profitable" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, describing the state or condition of something (e.g., a business, investment, or activity) as generating a profit. Ludwig examples show it used to express the potential or expectation of financial gain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be profitable" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the expectation or possibility of financial gain. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's frequently used across various sources, particularly in news and business contexts. To ensure effective communication, remember that "being profitable" means more than just revenue generation; it requires covering all costs. Consider using related alternatives like "generate profit" or "ensure profitability" to add nuance to your writing. Be aware of the difference between "be profitable" and other similar terms like "break even" to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate profit

Focuses on the action of producing a profit, rather than the state of being profitable.

yield a profit

Similar to 'generate profit' but emphasizes the result or outcome of an investment or activity.

turn a profit

Implies a change from a state of loss to one of profit.

become lucrative

Shifts the focus to the attractiveness or desirability of the profit-making activity.

prove rewarding

Suggests that the benefits might not be purely financial, but also personally satisfying.

be financially viable

Emphasizes the ability to survive and succeed financially in the long term.

pay dividends

An idiomatic expression suggesting that efforts or investments will produce positive results over time.

reap benefits

Highlights the act of receiving advantages or gains as a consequence of something.

ensure profitability

Emphasizes the act of making sure that something is profitable.

operate at a profit

Focuses on the ongoing status of a business running with profits.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be profitable" in a business context?

You can use phrases like "generate profit", "yield a profit", or "turn a profit" to convey a similar meaning while varying your language.

What is the difference between "be profitable" and "break even"?

"Be profitable" means generating more revenue than expenses, resulting in a net gain. "Break even" implies that revenue equals expenses, resulting in neither profit nor loss.

Is it grammatically correct to say "profitable be" instead of "be profitable"?

No, "profitable be" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The correct phrasing is "be profitable", which follows the standard verb-adjective order.

What are some synonyms for "be profitable" that emphasize long-term financial health?

Alternatives like "be financially viable" or "ensure profitability" highlight the sustainability and stability of the profit-making endeavor.