initial investment

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial investment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the money or resources initially required to start something, such as a business venture. For example: "The initial investment was significant, but the rewards were well worth it in the end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What was your initial investment?

The New York Times

Their initial investment: under $500.

The New York Times

Neither production recouped its initial investment.

The New York Times

Bushnell's initial investment was $250.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's a huge initial investment.

Cornell University

First, is the initial investment.

Harvard Business Review

The initial investment, she claimed, was $33 million.

The New York Times

The initial investment was $2 million.

Harvard Business Review

Still, the initial investment is heavy.

The New York Times

I think they'd balk at the initial investment!

The Guardian

His initial investment was £12,500, The Telegraph said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the viability of a project, always quantify the "initial investment" with specific figures to provide a clear understanding of the financial commitment required.

Common error

Avoid using "initial investment" when referring to ongoing expenses. "Initial investment" refers specifically to the one-time costs incurred at the start of a venture, not regular operational costs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial investment" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence to denote the capital or resources required to begin a project or venture. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Science

14%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial investment" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term that refers to the resources, typically monetary, required to begin a project or business venture. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It is particularly prevalent in contexts such as News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings, indicating a broad applicability across diverse professional domains. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the one-time costs at the start of a venture, distinguishing it from recurring operational expenses. Alternatives include "startup capital" and "seed funding", offering nuanced options depending on the specific context. Given its high usage and clear meaning, "initial investment" remains a crucial term for financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Startup capital

Refers specifically to the capital used to start a new business.

Seed funding

Highlights the early stage funding required for a project or venture.

Start-up costs

Focuses on the costs associated with beginning a new business.

Capital outlay

Emphasizes the expenditure of funds.

Beginning capital

Highlights the capital available at the beginning of the project.

Initial expenditure

Focuses on the amount of money spent initially.

Original investment

Emphasizes the investment made in the first instance.

Preliminary investment

Implies a preparatory investment.

Upfront investment

Highlights an investment made at the beginning of the process.

First investment

Refers to the initial act of investing.

FAQs

How can I use "initial investment" in a sentence?

You can use "initial investment" to describe the amount of money or resources needed to start a project or business. For example, "The company's "initial investment" was $2 million."

What is a good alternative to "initial investment"?

Alternatives to "initial investment" include "startup capital", "seed funding", or "start-up costs", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "initial investment" and "capital outlay"?

"Initial investment" refers specifically to the resources used at the beginning of a venture, while "capital outlay" is a broader term that can refer to any significant expenditure on assets.

Is it correct to use "initial investment" when discussing a long-term project?

Yes, "initial investment" is appropriate when referring to the starting costs of a long-term project. It highlights the resources committed at the project's inception.