less for profit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less for profit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing reduced profit margins or lower profit expectations in business or economic discussions. Example: "The new pricing strategy aims to provide less for profit, focusing instead on customer satisfaction and loyalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

A genius of disguise, his identity forever fluid and unknown, he commits a series of seemingly arbitrary crimes — theft, kidnapping, murder — less for profit than the pleasure of spreading fear.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Culturally, maybe also because of the defeat in the war, Germans remain reluctant to borrow and banks are often state-owned, pushing less for profits from lending," said Alistair Milne, a professor at Cass Business School in London.

The New York Times

Federal aid is limited, they say, and the people who are now eligible will receive less if for-profit hospitals get some of the money.

The New York Times

Moreover, focus was on some significant interactions too, as the effect of trial's quality interacting to the recorded funding (more benefit if no-profit, less if for-profit) and the effect of trial funding interacting to the location of first author (more benefit if from Asia).

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Were Intel to enter this world, they would no longer design processors, just manufacture them, an activity with less potential for profit.

The Guardian - Tech

That's why about 10 percent of students at Ivy League institutions receive the Pell Grant, compared with about a quarter of students at public colleges and two-thirds of students at less-selective for-profit colleges.

The New York Times

In particular, Toyota said higher gasoline prices hurt sales of pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, including its recently remodeled Tundra pickup, though it relies less heavily for profits on these kinds of vehicles than Detroit.

The New York Times

Of those patients who completed the follow-up survey, 16 participant responses changed such that there was even less trust towards for-profit industry (χ = 27.856, df = 12, p =���0.006), and 15 participants changed responses showing slightly less trust towards hospitals (χ = 7.979, df = 3, p = 0.046) (data not shown).

BMC Medical Genomics

The jobs in these areas usually pay less than their for-profit equivalents, but these days the for-profit equivalents may not even exist anymore.

The New York Times

Of course, we might spend a bit less time on for-profits' aspiring sous-chefs with pricey for-profit culinary degrees than on the frequent disaster of early, elementary and secondary education.

The New York Times

Surprisingly, America, the country that has preached the Washington consensus of privatisation to the world, still owns a lot of its railways, ports and water systems; it also makes less use of for-profit schools than does Sweden.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "less for profit", clearly state the reason or alternative goal that is being prioritized. This provides context and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "less for profit" when the intention is simply to minimize losses. This phrase suggests a conscious decision to prioritize something else over maximum profitability, not just an inability to achieve it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less for profit" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverbial phrase. It indicates a reduction in the pursuit or expectation of profit, often in favor of another goal. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less for profit" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate a conscious decision to prioritize objectives other than maximizing financial gain. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is usable. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science and Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly articulate the alternative goals being pursued. Common alternatives include "lower profitability", "reduced profit margins", and "prioritizing other values over profit". While aiming for "less for profit" may seem counterintuitive, it can lead to long-term benefits, such as improved brand reputation and increased customer loyalty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lower profitability

Emphasizes a reduction in the amount of profit earned.

smaller profits

Directly indicates a decrease in the amount of profit.

reduced profit margins

Focuses on the decrease in the difference between revenue and costs.

reduced financial gain

Emphasizes the lessening of monetary benefit.

decreased earnings

Focuses on the decline in overall financial gains.

diminished returns

Highlights the decline in gains from an investment or activity.

accepting lower returns

Implies a willingness to receive less financial benefit.

less emphasis on profit

Shifts the focus away from profit as the primary goal.

prioritizing other values over profit

Highlights the choice to focus on non-monetary aspects.

sacrificing profits

Suggests a deliberate decision to accept lower profits.

FAQs

How can I use "less for profit" in a sentence?

You can use "less for profit" to describe situations where a company or individual is willing to accept lower profits in order to achieve other goals, such as social impact or customer satisfaction. For example: "The company is operating with "less for profit" in mind to enhance its reputation".

What are some alternatives to saying "less for profit"?

Alternatives to "less for profit" include "lower profitability", "reduced profit margins", or "prioritizing other values over profit", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when a company aims for "less for profit"?

It typically signifies that the organization is consciously choosing to prioritize goals other than maximizing financial gain. This could include social responsibility, environmental sustainability, or increased customer loyalty. It suggests a strategic decision to accept "reduced financial gain" in pursuit of other objectives.

Is it always a bad thing to aim for "less for profit"?

Not necessarily. While lower profits can be detrimental, strategically aiming for "less for profit" can lead to long-term benefits such as improved brand reputation, increased customer loyalty, and positive social impact, which can ultimately contribute to sustainable success.