less profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to describe something that has decreased in profitability. For example: The company has had less profitable sales this year than last year.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As for less profitable, well, it didn't actually make profits.

The Guardian - Business

Life is less profitable.

The Economist

Either way, the loan becomes less profitable.

The Economist

Yet firms also face less profitable changes.

The Economist

The downswings were less profitable.

The New York Times

Leases have become less profitable, too.

The New York Times

Either would make the loans less profitable.

The New York Times

Reducing emissions will become less profitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

The drug trade is less profitable".

The New Yorker

Is it less profitable than it was?

The Guardian

Next-generation monoclonals less profitable than trailblazers?

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the profitability of different ventures or periods, provide specific data or metrics to support your claim that something is "less profitable". This adds credibility and clarity to your analysis.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "less profitable" without specifying what it is being compared to. For example, instead of saying "The venture became less profitable", specify "The venture became less profitable than initially projected" to provide context and meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less profitable" functions as a comparative adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a lower degree of profitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is grammatically sound and usable in written English. The phrase indicates that something is not generating as much profit as it once did or as something else does.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "less profitable" is a comparative adjective phrase indicating a reduction in profit. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. Common in business, news, and scientific contexts, the phrase serves to describe and analyze financial performance. When using "less profitable", ensure you provide context for what is being compared to what. Related phrases like "less lucrative" or "not as profitable" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less lucrative

Focuses on the reduction of earnings or financial gain.

less remunerative

Highlights diminished compensation or payment.

not as profitable

Emphasizes a comparison to a previous or expected level of profitability.

less economically viable

Indicates a decrease in the project's overall financial feasibility

less financially rewarding

Highlights the reduced personal or organizational gains.

smaller profit margin

Refers to a decrease in the proportion of revenue that constitutes profit.

reduced earnings

Directly states that the financial income has decreased.

declining returns

Focuses on the decrease in gains from an investment or venture.

diminished profitability

Highlights the overall decrease in the ability to generate profit.

less economically sound

This signifies a weaker financial or economic foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "less profitable" in a sentence?

You can use "less profitable" to describe a business, product, or activity that generates less profit compared to another or to a previous period. For example, "Due to increased competition, the product line became "less profitable" this quarter".

What are some alternatives to saying "less profitable"?

Alternatives to "less profitable" include "less lucrative", "less remunerative", or "not as profitable", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "least profitable" instead of "less profitable"?

Yes, "least profitable" is correct, but it has a slightly different meaning. "Less profitable" implies a comparison between two things, while "least profitable" indicates the lowest profit among multiple options or items.

What's the difference between "less profitable" and "unprofitable"?

"Less profitable" means that something is still generating a profit, but the profit is reduced. "Unprofitable" means that something is losing money and not generating any profit at all.