investments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "investments" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of allocating resources, usually money, in order to generate income or profit. Example: "The company's investments in renewable energy have significantly increased its market value."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They scour the world for investments and try to invest on the "efficient frontier", where you can get the perfect ­balance of high returns and low risk.

The Guardian

The Guardian is running a campaign asking the world's biggest health charities, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, to sell their fossil fuel investments on the basis that it is misguided to invest in companies dedicated to finding more oil, gas and coal when current reserves are already several times greater than can be safely burned.

The Guardian

Amid accusations that it had prioritised profits over helping the poor, CDC unveiled a new strategy in 2012 to only make new investments in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia and to start investing in businesses directly, rather than solely through private equity funds.

The Guardian

Upstream capital spending edged lower last year, falling to $147.4bn as companies reacted to the surprise fall in the oil price, the first dip in upstream investments in at least nine years.

The Guardian

Add up Primark growth, margins in Grocery getting to 10%, returns on recent investments and reversing Chinese/Australian losses, and forecasts can get out of hand.

The Guardian - Business

"If member states are free to purchase any power plant with long-term subsidies, then there is no longer a role for companies to judge investments".

The Guardian

Rather, they are investments which can reliably generate income – the all-important cash spent on charitable activities.

The Guardian

But he is trading on the financial ignorance of most savers, who at best may pay more tax and end up poorer in later life, and at worst fall prey to all manner of tricksters and fraudsters promising double digit returns on plausible but fictitious investments.

The Guardian - Money

But universities have found themselves in an unaccustomed spotlight over the last few months as student campaigners have called on them to withdraw their investments from companies involved in the extraction of fossil fuels.

The Guardian

A new analysis said the fund would sell off over $8bn £5bnn) of coal-related investments as a result.

The Guardian

Late last week Crozier told a conference in Barcelona that the broadcaster was "cash rich" and would look at investments that needed to be made to drive the turnaround strategy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "investments", be specific about the type of assets involved (e.g., stocks, bonds, real estate) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid making sweeping claims about guaranteed returns on "investments". Always acknowledge the inherent risks and potential for losses.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "investments" is as a noun, typically used in the plural form. Ludwig shows it refers to resources allocated with the expectation of future profit or benefit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "investments" is a grammatically sound and very common plural noun referring to the allocation of resources, typically capital, for future financial gain. Ludwig AI indicates its frequent use in news, business, and financial contexts. While "investments" is generally appropriate, alternatives like "capital outlays" or "asset allocations" may be more precise depending on the specific context. Understanding the nuances of "investments" ensures clear and effective communication regarding financial strategies and economic activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capital investments

More specific, emphasizing the use of capital for investment purposes.

capital outlays

Refers to expenditures for assets expected to yield future benefits, emphasizing the spending aspect.

asset allocations

Highlights the distribution of assets among different investment categories.

financial stakes

Emphasizes the ownership or interest held in a venture or entity.

holdings

Focuses on the assets owned, often implying a diverse portfolio.

venture capital

Specifically refers to capital invested in startups or small businesses with high growth potential.

monetary commitments

Highlights the financial obligation and dedication of funds.

resource allocations

Broader term encompassing the assignment of various resources, not just financial ones.

funding initiatives

Describes specific programs or projects receiving financial support.

economic stakes

Emphasizes the economic implications and interests involved.

FAQs

How to use "investments" in a sentence?

You can use "investments" to describe the act of allocating capital for future profit, as in "The company's "investments" in technology have paid off handsomely."

What can I say instead of "investments"?

You can use alternatives like "capital outlays", "asset allocations", or "financial stakes" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "investments" or "investment"?

"Investments" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple instances of allocating capital. "Investment" is singular, referring to a single instance.

What's the difference between "investments" and "expenses"?

"Investments" are intended to generate future income or profit, while "expenses" are costs incurred in the present for immediate use or consumption.