earn a decent return

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earn a decent return" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts when discussing the expected profit or yield from an investment. Example: "Investing in diversified assets can help you earn a decent return over time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

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

The Economist

"My problem would be whether I could earn a decent return doing it".

The New York Times - Tech

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

The Economist

Those declines, analysts said, left investors with a stark question: Where else could you put your money to earn a decent return?

The New York Times

"The leadership of these firms tends to go towards people who can deploy their vast amounts of capital and earn a decent return on it," Schlosstein said.

The New Yorker

But it has also spent a fortune in Hollywood which may take years to earn a decent return, if it ever does.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Private banks say mutuals distort competition and prevent them earning a decent return.

The Economist

For example, low rates mean that people have a difficult time earning a decent return on retirement savings, he said.

The New York Times

About half of the industry is regularly incapable of earning a decent return on its invested capital.

The Economist

That, claims Macquarie, gives it an incentive to undertake capital expenditure, since it has a prospect of earning a decent return over the long term.

The Economist

None of the three is earning a decent return on equity: at 7.7% even BNP's is far below the 10% that most investors consider minimally acceptable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earn a decent return" when you want to convey that the return is not just positive, but also reasonably good compared to alternatives.

Common error

Avoid guaranteeing specific returns when using the phrase "earn a decent return". Instead, focus on the potential or expected return based on market conditions and investment risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn a decent return" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of generating a satisfactory profit or yield from an investment. It is used to describe the outcome of financial activities, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "earn a decent return" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in financial and business contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it conveys the idea of achieving a satisfactory profit or yield on an investment. While the phrase is versatile, it is essential to quantify the expected return when discussing investment strategies. The phrase is most commonly found in news and business sources and has a neutral to professional register. Related phrases include "generate a good yield" and "achieve a reasonable profit". Remember to avoid overpromising specific returns and consider the context when choosing the best alternative phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

generate a good yield

Focuses on the yield aspect of the return, suitable when discussing investment performance.

achieve a reasonable profit

Highlights the profitability aspect, useful in business contexts.

realize a satisfactory gain

Emphasizes the gain or increase in value achieved.

obtain a favorable return

Stresses the positive or advantageous nature of the return.

secure a worthwhile profit

Highlights the value and worthiness of the profit gained.

get a respectable yield

Similar to generating a good yield, but with an emphasis on the respectability of the return.

make a fair profit

Focuses on the fairness and equity of the profit earned.

yield a positive return

Emphasizes that the return is above zero, focusing on profitability.

produce a satisfactory income

Shifts the focus to the income generated from an investment or activity.

derive a substantial benefit

Highlights the overall benefit, which can include financial and other advantages.

FAQs

How can I use "earn a decent return" in a sentence?

You can use "earn a decent return" when discussing investments or financial strategies, for example: "Investing in diversified assets can help you "earn a decent return" over time".

What is an alternative to saying "earn a decent return"?

Alternatives include "achieve a reasonable profit", "generate a good yield", or "obtain a favorable return", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "earn a decent return" or "make a decent return"?

Both "earn a decent return" and "make a decent return" are acceptable. However, "earn a decent return" is more commonly used in financial contexts.

What does it mean to "earn a decent return" on an investment?

To "earn a decent return" means to achieve a profit or yield that is considered satisfactory or worthwhile, considering the risk and investment period. It implies that the investment has performed reasonably well.