investment

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "investment" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe putting money, effort, or time into something with the expectation of a good return. For example: My parents encouraged me to make an investment in my education by attending a top university.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a crude pound-per-job ratio, investing in homes looks a shrewder investment, with a new job created for every £300,000 invested compared to more than £1.5m invested in road building.

The Guardian

Economically, tight state controls have fostered stagnation and popular resentment while hindering foreign investment.

The Guardian

"As a result of 25 years of investment," said Doris Meissner, an author of the report who is a senior fellow at the institute, "the bulwark is fundamentally in place".

The New York Times

Party leadership figures lined up to persuade members to vote for an endorsement of "business of usual" on fiscal policy, albeit accepting some amended language committing us explicitly to prioritising sensible stuff like investment in infrastructure.

The Guardian - Opinion

With more than 70% of the poor now living, or expected to live in middle-income countries, these regions would be likely targets for investment.

The Guardian

Giving evidence to the House of Commons' international development committee, which is looking into the future of the CDC – Britain's investment fund for developing countries – Andrew Mitchell said the corporation's fund of funds model was too narrow and needed to be expanded.

The Guardian

One example is the Advanced Market Commitment tool, where donors pledge to purchase developing country disease-focused vaccines or medicines, giving companies a commercial buyer and thus a reason to risk their R&D investment and product development.

The Guardian

A further payment of $486,000 was an additional loan, not an investment in AWH, he said.

The Guardian

Industrial nations can at best give a developing country a shallow surface insight into their know-how, and even then only in the context of foreign investment deals in which developed countries that host foreign direct investment inflows skilfully negotiate and secure such agreements, and have skilled workforces to absorb and expand on such prowess.

The Guardian

Watson replied: "Was Clinton telling the truth?" Obeid also denied he told former Lehman Brothers banker Gardner Brook that the family's investment in water infrastructure could eclipse their interests in the Mount Penny coal mine which was thought to have the potential to earn the family about $100m.

The Guardian

This stability is vital in attracting the business and international investment that delivers growth and jobs, and which keeps long-term interest rates low.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing investments, be specific about the type of investment (e.g., financial, time, emotional) to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "investment" when referring to costs that don't generate future returns; instead, use "expense" or "cost".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "investment" is as a noun, referring to the act of investing or the state of being invested. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "investment" serves as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "investment" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of allocating resources with the anticipation of future returns. As Ludwig AI confirms, this term sees very common usage across diverse contexts, predominantly in news, business, and scientific domains, showcasing its versatility. The analysis reveals that "investment" is grammatically sound and widely accepted, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. To ensure clarity, specify the type of "investment" being discussed, and avoid confusing it with a mere "expense". Alternative terms include "capital expenditure", "financial outlay", and "resource allocation", each offering nuanced perspectives on the concept of investment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital expenditure

Focuses specifically on spending money on fixed assets like property or equipment.

financial outlay

Emphasizes the amount of money spent or allocated.

infusion of capital

Highlights the injection of money into a business or project.

resource allocation

Highlights the strategic distribution of resources, including time and effort.

strategic allocation

Emphasizes a deliberate and planned distribution of assets.

commitment of resources

Stresses the dedication and allocation of various resources.

funding

Simply refers to the act of providing financial support.

venture

Implies a risky investment, often in a new business or project.

speculation

Indicates a high-risk investment with the potential for high return.

endowment

Refers to a fund or property donated to an institution or individual.

FAQs

How can I use the word "investment" in a sentence?

You can use "investment" to refer to putting money into something, like "This property is a good "real estate investment"", or dedicating time and effort, such as "Education is an "investment in the future"".

What are some alternatives to saying "investment"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "capital expenditure", "financial outlay", or "resource allocation".

What's the difference between "investment" and "expense"?

"Investment" implies an expectation of future gain or benefit, while "expense" refers to a cost incurred for immediate consumption or use. An "investment in marketing" aims to generate future sales, whereas office supplies are an expense.

Is it correct to use "investment" to describe efforts dedicated to personal growth?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "investment" in the context of personal growth. For example, saying "meditation is an "investment in mental health"" is a valid and common usage.