fast payback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fast payback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to finance, investment, or business, typically referring to a quick return on investment or recovery of costs. Example: "Investing in solar panels offers a fast payback, allowing homeowners to recoup their expenses within a few years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"When I started to sell, it was like a tornado," Mr. Zonis recalled, "a fast payback for what I missed out on all of those years.

The New York Times

Venture capital and private equity funds, which control much larger capital pools than crowdfunding, also invest in circular models, however, their requirements for high growth and relatively fast payback horizons can mean this source of finance is limited for circular businesses.

The Guardian

If companies are going to move a client support center they're going to look for very fast payback.

Forbes

Sell a viable product (viability): Any product which does not have a fast payback period is not viable.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The result: thousands of new businesses, a few of them funded by an aid program that rewards enterprise and requires fast paybacks and matching grants from African governments.

Forbes

By any normal measure of risk and return, they should insist that new investments produce a faster payback.

The Economist

Investors are demanding faster payback schedules, better guarantees and even a say in how movies are made and marketed.

The New York Times

Rather than require immediate capital upgrades, this proposal improves the maintenance and operations of existing systems — improvements with the lowest cost and the fastest payback in energy savings.

The New York Times

If you put them in regions where you have a lot of sunshine, then the equation becomes different: you get faster payback.

MIT Technology Review

For Mig Halpine, $135 or so a barrel simply means "a faster payback for our solar panels" — three giant jet-black sheets tilted to catch the sun behind the house in Bethany, Conn., that he shares with his wife, Calico Harington, and their children, Miles, 13, and Ella, 11.

The New York Times

A better idea with a faster payback: Get out the caulk.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial investments or projects, use "fast payback" to highlight the speed at which the initial investment is recovered. This emphasizes the efficiency and profitability of the venture.

Common error

Avoid using "fast payback" in contexts where the return is not financial or quantifiable. For example, it's less appropriate to say a relationship has a "fast payback"; instead, reserve it for investments, projects, or business scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fast payback" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a noun such as "period", "time", or "investment". As confirmed by Ludwig, it is used to indicate the speed at which an investment or project recoups its initial costs.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fast payback" is a descriptor used to emphasize the speed at which an investment or project recoups its initial costs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and primarily used in professional contexts such as business, finance, and project management. While "fast payback" isn't exceedingly common, it effectively communicates the attractiveness of investments with quick returns. Alternatives include "rapid return on investment" and "short payback period". Remember to reserve its use for quantifiable financial returns, as overgeneralizing its context can lead to misapplication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rapid return on investment

Emphasizes the investment aspect and uses "rapid" instead of "fast".

quick recovery of investment

Focuses on the recovery aspect and uses "quick" instead of "fast".

short payback period

Specifies "payback period" explicitly and uses "short" instead of "fast".

accelerated cost recovery

Uses more formal terminology for financial contexts.

prompt investment return

Highlights the "prompt" nature of the return.

speedy recoupment of capital

Emphasizes the capital aspect and uses "speedy" for quickness.

immediate profit realization

Focuses on the profit aspect and its immediate realization.

expedited return of capital

Uses "expedited" to convey the quickness of the return.

swift return on assets

Focuses on assets and uses "swift" for quickness.

early return on investment

Emphasizes that the return on investment is "early".

FAQs

What does "fast payback" mean in financial terms?

In finance, "fast payback" refers to a short period of time required for an investment to generate enough revenue to cover its initial cost. It indicates a quicker return on investment compared to alternatives with longer payback periods.

When is it appropriate to use the term "fast payback"?

Use "fast payback" when discussing investments, business ventures, or projects where the speed of recovering the initial investment is a key factor in evaluating its success. For instance, "Investing in energy-efficient appliances can offer a "quick return on investment"".

What are some alternatives to saying "fast payback"?

You can use alternatives such as "rapid return on investment", "short payback period", or "quick recovery of investment" depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

How important is a "fast payback" for investors?

A "fast payback" is often highly desirable for investors as it reduces the risk associated with the investment and allows for quicker reinvestment of the recovered capital. Projects with shorter payback periods are generally viewed as more attractive and less risky.