it was profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the financial success or benefits of a particular venture, investment, or business activity. Example: "After analyzing the quarterly reports, it was profitable to invest in renewable energy projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was profitable, but its owner, Caesars, hobbled by debt, needed to consolidate.

The New Yorker

It was profitable in its Facebook marketing business from early on, and so it hasn't needed to seek outside investment.

TechCrunch

It was profitable, but its month run was disappointing compared with most of the earlier Savoy operas.

Wikipedia

Rent the Runway declined to disclose its subscriber count or its revenue or to say if it was profitable.

The New York Times

It sells ads on its site, and Mr. Safka said it was profitable, though he won't discuss any actual numbers.

The New York Times

The festival returned to a two-day format its third year, the first year it was profitable.

Forbes

Within one year it was profitable; within three years hma had earned back its purchase price.

Forbes

It was profitable not only for him.

The Economist

It was profitable, and the Soviet Union needed hard currency.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Shred-it was profitable after its first nine months.

Forbes

Profits are secret, but Gilt says it's profitable.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was profitable" to clearly and concisely state that an activity or venture generated financial gain. For enhanced clarity, specify the period of profitability, such as "it was profitable last year".

Common error

Avoid using "it was profitable" when you actually mean "it generated revenue". Revenue indicates total income, while profitability reflects income after expenses. For example, saying "it was profitable" implies that the venture not only earned money but also covered all associated costs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was profitable" primarily functions as a statement affirming the financial success of a subject. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is commonly used to describe ventures, businesses, or investments that have generated a profit.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

16%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was profitable" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote financial success. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase commonly appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic domains. While straightforward, understanding its nuances—especially distinguishing it from terms like "revenue"—is crucial for precise communication. For enhancing clarity, it's beneficial to specify the timeframe or context of profitability. Alternatives such as "it yielded a profit" or "it proved lucrative" can add sophistication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it made money

A simpler, more direct way of expressing profitability.

it generated profit

Focuses on the action of creating profit rather than stating profitability.

it resulted in a profit

Highlights the causal relationship between an action and the profit.

it yielded a return

Emphasizes the outcome or result of an investment or activity.

it showed a profit

Indicates that the financial statements reflected profitability.

it proved lucrative

Uses a stronger adjective to describe the level of profitability.

it was financially rewarding

Emphasizes the benefits from a financial perspective.

it operated at a profit

Focuses on the operational profitability of a business.

it created value

Focuses on the value generation as a consequence.

it paid off

A more informal way to say it was ultimately worth the investment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it was profitable" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "it yielded a profit", "it generated a return", or "it proved lucrative". These phrases offer a more sophisticated way to convey the same meaning.

What does "it was profitable" mean in a financial context?

In a financial context, "it was profitable" means that a business, project, or investment generated more revenue than expenses, resulting in a net gain. It indicates financial success and viability.

Is it correct to say "it was profitable" even if the profit margin was small?

Yes, it's correct to say "it was profitable" as long as the venture generated any amount of profit, regardless of the margin. However, the size of the profit margin might be relevant in providing a complete picture.

What's the difference between "it broke even" and "it was profitable"?

"It broke even" means that the revenue equaled the expenses, resulting in neither a profit nor a loss. "It was profitable" means that the revenue exceeded the expenses, resulting in a net gain.