Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
insufficient profits
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "insufficient profits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial discussions or reports to indicate that the profits generated are not enough to meet expectations or requirements. Example: "The company's decision to cut costs was driven by the reality of insufficient profits over the last quarter."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Alternative expressions(6)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
5 human-written examples
One day in February, for example, Loeb fired off scalding letters to two C.E.O.s, accusing each, ostensibly, of producing insufficient profits and paltry returns.
News & Media
Pamela Hartigan, managing director of the foundation, says social entrepreneurs go where corporations don't go (insufficient profits), and where governments can't go.
News & Media
Companies have been slow to create jobs not because of insufficient profits but because of inadequate customers.
News & Media
traditional FFS Medicare between 1998 and 2000, yet many left the market due to insufficient profits, forcing 2.4 million seniors to find other coverage and often change doctors.
News & Media
Despite Girdap's active involvement in assistance to national industry, it failed to make a significant contribution and gradually minimized its participation due to insufficient profits.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
We never will know how many beneficial drugs never get approved because companies dropped them for insufficient profit potential.
Academia
While this is due in part to the lack of specific know ledge about the other human enteroviruses, it is also due to the perceptions of industry that there is insufficient profit to be made by developing these vaccines.
Science & Research
Unfortunately, this may not be the case for many bacterial strains such as M. Tuberculosis due to, for example, insufficient profit opportunity [ 9].
Science
Insufficient profit for their time and family members being unhappy with their work were the most frequently cited reasons for dropping out of the programme [ 9].
Science
The cynical confession captures three major truths, one of the officers in the department told HuffPost Greece: the policies and measures currently in place against human trafficking are insufficient; the profits are bigger than ever; and the networks involved now constitute a major part of what we call organized crime.
News & Media
Idiotic, hair-splitting questions pertaining to nothing, insufficient training, profit-driven motives on the part of the testing companies, and test results that simply reveal the income and education level of the parents – For this we need to pay hundreds of millions of dollars and waste 10-45 days of classroom time each year to administer them?
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When discussing a company's financial performance, use "insufficient profits" to clearly indicate that the company's earnings are not meeting expectations or covering expenses. This term provides a direct assessment of the profitability issue.
Common error
Avoid using ambiguous language like "poor results" without specifying that you're referring to profits. "Insufficient profits" is more direct and leaves no room for misinterpretation, especially in financial reports.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "insufficient profits" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "insufficient" modifies the noun "profits". This phrase typically acts as a subject complement or object in sentences, indicating a lack or inadequacy of financial gains. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.
Frequent in
News & Media
40%
Science
40%
Formal & Business
20%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "insufficient profits" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe situations where earnings are inadequate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is typically found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts to report on or analyze financial performance. Alternatives such as "inadequate earnings" and "low profitability" can be used depending on the specific nuance required. When using this phrase, it's best to be direct and specific to avoid any ambiguity, especially in formal reporting. While the phrase is not overly common, it's well understood and appropriate for professional communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
inadequate earnings
Replaces "profits" with "earnings" and "insufficient" with "inadequate", emphasizing a general lack of financial gain.
low profitability
Uses the noun "profitability" instead of "profits" and the adjective "low" instead of "insufficient", focusing on the state of being less profitable.
meager returns
Substitutes "profits" with "returns" and "insufficient" with "meager", highlighting the small amount of gains received.
scarce gains
Replaces "profits" with "gains" and "insufficient" with "scarce", indicating a limited or rare amount of profit.
deficient revenues
Changes "profits" to "revenues" and "insufficient" to "deficient", focusing on the shortfall in income.
limited proceeds
Uses "proceeds" in place of "profits" and "limited" instead of "insufficient", emphasizing the restricted quantity of financial returns.
unsatisfactory gains
Replaces "insufficient" with "unsatisfactory", which suggests that the profits are not meeting expectations.
paltry earnings
Replaces "profits" with "earnings" and "insufficient" with "paltry", implying the financial gain is insignificant.
thin margins
Focuses on the small difference between revenue and costs, leading to the consequence of low profits.
weak bottom line
Replaces "insufficient profits" with an expression that means that the company's total earnings are inadequate.
FAQs
How can I use "insufficient profits" in a sentence?
You can use "insufficient profits" to describe a situation where a company or project does not generate enough income. For example: "The business closed due to "insufficient profits"."
What are some alternatives to "insufficient profits"?
Alternatives include "inadequate earnings", "low profitability", or "meager returns depending on the specific context".
Is "insufficient profits" grammatically correct?
Yes, "insufficient profits" is grammatically correct. "Insufficient" is an adjective modifying the noun "profits".
What's the difference between "insufficient profits" and "negative profits"?
"Insufficient profits" indicates that profits are lower than desired or expected, but still positive. "Negative profits", also known as a loss, means that expenses exceeded revenue.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested