earn a decent margin

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earn a decent margin" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to business, finance, or sales when discussing profitability or revenue generation. Example: "By optimizing our production process, we aim to earn a decent margin on each product sold."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"It's very hard for brand-name products to earn a decent margin," said Bert Siebrand, an analyst with Bank Oyens & van Eeghen in Amsterdam.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

For many the aspiration is serving a client over their lifetime to become a trusted advisor to their family for generations and earning a decent margin in the process.

Huffington Post

Online grocers can thus earn a decent return on capital even with thin operating margins, Mr Gwynn says.

The Economist

To earn a decent return on their investments, landlords have been raising jeonse prices.

The Economist

There are also more lone parents trying to earn a decent wage.

The Economist

I work in work-force development with women absolutely desperate to earn a decent living.

The New York Times - Magazine

Economic growth can leave the unskilled unable to earn a decent living in the market.

The Economist

"We're going to work hard out there, and earn a decent living".

The New York Times

To earn a decent living, freelancers have to work at a breakneck pace, which has an obvious impact on quality.

The Economist

It's fun, you learn things, you make it easier for Mom and Dad to earn a decent living, and when you grow up you will be better able to earn a decent living yourself.

The New York Times

I was doing it too inconsistently to feel good about it, and I was starting to earn a decent salary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, use "earn a decent margin" to convey the idea of achieving a satisfactory level of profitability after accounting for costs. For example: "By optimizing our production process, we aim to earn a decent margin on each product sold."

Common error

Avoid using "earn a decent margin" interchangeably with revenue or sales volume. The phrase specifically refers to the profit remaining after deducting costs, not the total income generated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn a decent margin" functions as a verb phrase, where "earn" is the main verb and "a decent margin" is the direct object. It expresses the action of generating a satisfactory profit from a business activity, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn a decent margin" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in business and finance to describe the act of generating a satisfactory profit after costs. Ludwig's analysis confirms its prevalent use in news, business, and scientific contexts. While alternatives like "achieve a reasonable profit" or "generate a satisfactory return" exist, "earn a decent margin" specifically emphasizes the profit remaining after expenses, making it crucial to differentiate from total revenue. Knowing how to deploy it correctly can help ensure to be more specific when discussing your strategy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Achieve a reasonable profit

Focuses on the outcome of profitability, rather than the process.

Generate a satisfactory return

Emphasizes the return on investment, implying profitability.

Make a good profit

A simpler, more direct way to express earning a sufficient profit.

Obtain a healthy profit margin

Highlights the health and robustness of the profit margin.

Secure a profitable return

Implies actively working to ensure profitability.

Realize a substantial gain

Focuses on the tangible financial gain achieved.

Yield a favorable profit

Emphasizes the positive outcome of profitability.

Accumulate significant earnings

Highlights the accumulation of earnings over time.

Garner a respectable income

Focuses on the income earned, rather than the margin.

Attain a fair remuneration

Emphasizes fair compensation and financial reward.

FAQs

What does it mean to "earn a decent margin"?

To "earn a decent margin" means to generate a reasonable level of profit from a business activity or investment, considering the associated costs and risks. It indicates a healthy balance between revenue and expenses.

How can I use the phrase "earn a decent margin" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a company's financial performance, like: "Despite increased competition, the company managed to "achieve a reasonable profit" by streamlining its operations."

What are some synonyms for "earn a decent margin"?

Alternatives include "make a good profit", "generate a satisfactory return", or "obtain a healthy profit margin". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

What factors influence the ability to "earn a decent margin"?

Several factors can affect profitability, including production costs, pricing strategies, market competition, and operational efficiency. Successfully managing these elements is crucial for "securing a profitable return".