less profitable than

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "less profitable than" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are comparing two things and want to convey that one thing is less profitable than another. Example: Selling popcorn at the concession stand was less profitable than selling hotdogs.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The new policy considers this objective less profitable than gross-profit-per-day objective, assuming both deterministic and stochastic cargo transport demand.

Journal of Shipping and Trade

Agriculture is inherently less profitable than pharmaceuticals, with profit margins of around 10%, about a third of what drugs earn.

The Economist

First-quarter profit was also hurt by an increase in cremations, which are less profitable than traditional burials.

The New York Times

Is it less profitable than it was?

The Guardian

Its banking system is less profitable than Bulgaria's.

The Economist

Chrysler remains far less profitable than its domestic competitors.

The New York Times

Investment banking is less profitable than it was.

The Economist

The grocery game is just less profitable than it was.

The Guardian - Business

But it does mean that China's future subscribers will be less profitable than its existing ones.

The Economist

New readers are, per capita, less profitable than the old ones.

The New Yorker

Gol may find that the long-haul business is less profitable than expected.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the profitability of different business ventures, use "less profitable than" to clearly indicate which venture yields a lower return. For example, "Investing in bonds is often less profitable than investing in stocks, although it's generally considered safer."

Common error

Avoid using "less profitable then" instead of "less profitable than". "Than" is used for comparisons, while "then" refers to time or sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "less profitable than" functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It is used to compare the profitability of two or more entities or activities, indicating that one yields a lower profit margin than the other. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "less profitable than" is a common and grammatically sound way to compare the profitability of two entities or activities. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It functions as a comparative adjective phrase, primarily used to highlight a financial disadvantage. You can find it used in different contexts, such as news, science, and business, making it a versatile phrase for various forms of writing. Alternative phrases like "yields lower profits than" or "generates less revenue than" can be used to add variety to your writing. Be careful of common errors, such as using "then" instead of "than". In conclusion, "less profitable than" is a reliable and effective way to express a comparison of profitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yields lower profits than

Focuses on the yield aspect, implying the activity or investment generates a smaller return.

produces a smaller profit margin than

Concentrates on the profit margin, emphasizing the reduced profitability percentage.

generates less revenue than

Shifts the focus to revenue generation, highlighting the lower income produced.

is not as lucrative as

Highlights the lack of financial gain or wealth creation compared to something else.

offers a reduced return on investment compared to

Uses specific investment terminology to emphasize the lower ROI.

is financially inferior to

Uses a more formal tone and emphasizes the overall financial disadvantage.

realizes fewer gains than

Focuses on the concept of 'gains,' pointing to a weaker beneficial outcome or advantage.

doesn't make as much money as

Uses a more informal and direct expression to convey reduced earnings.

shows less financial promise than

Shifts the focus to future prospects and the potential for profit, portraying a weaker outlook.

is economically disadvantaged compared to

Emphasizes a general economic disadvantage and broader context rather than just profitability.

FAQs

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

Use "less profitable than" to compare the profitability of two options, for example: "Operating a brick-and-mortar store is often "less profitable than" running an online business due to lower overhead costs".

What are some alternatives to saying "less profitable than"?

You can use phrases like "yields lower profits than", "generates less revenue than", or "is not as lucrative as" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "less profitable then" instead of "less profitable than"?

No, it is incorrect. "Than" is used for comparisons, while "then" refers to time or sequence. The correct phrase is ""less profitable than"".

Which sentence is correct: "Running ads on social media is less profitable than running ads on TV" or "Running ads on social media is not as profitable as running ads on TV"?

Both sentences are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on stylistic preference. "Less profitable than" is a more direct comparison, while "not as profitable as" is slightly more indirect.