make a profit

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a profit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to gaining money from a business or transaction. For example, "The company was able to make a profit this quarter thanks to the success of their new product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We don't make a profit.

The New York Times

Oh, and to make a profit.

The Economist

"Companies need to make a profit.

The New York Times

Everyone is out to make a profit".

The New York Times

And we did not make a profit.

The New York Times

"Are we there to make a profit?

The New York Times - Sports

Most don't even make a profit.

The New York Times

Google says it does make a profit.

The New York Times - Tech

Everyone will make a profit".

The New York Times

The companies involved don't make a profit.

The New York Times

"Now we need to make a profit".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing business goals, clearly state how strategies will "make a profit" to demonstrate financial viability to stakeholders.

Common error

Don't use "make a profit" when you simply mean to increase sales. Profit is what remains after deducting all expenses from revenue.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a profit" functions as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of earning more money than expenses in a business or financial context. Ludwig examples show its use in various business and economic discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make a profit" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe earning more money than expenses. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in business and financial contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by formal business publications and science sources, as evidenced by the Ludwig examples. When using this phrase, it's essential to differentiate profit from revenue, as profit represents the earnings remaining after expenses are deducted. Alternative phrases like "earn a profit" or "turn a profit" can be used to express similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earn a profit

Emphasizes the effort involved in gaining profit.

realize a profit

Highlights the actualization of profit.

gain a profit

Highlights the acquisition of profit.

turn a profit

Indicates a transformation from loss to profit.

become profitable

Focuses on achieving a state of profitability.

yield a profit

Stresses the outcome or return of an investment.

generate revenue

Focuses on the creation of income, a more general term.

secure a profit

Implies ensuring or obtaining profit.

reap profits

Suggests gathering or harvesting profits.

derive income

Focuses on obtaining income from a source.

FAQs

How can I use "make a profit" in a sentence?

You can use "make a profit" when discussing the financial performance of a company or a business venture. For example, "The company was able to "make a profit" this year due to increased sales and reduced costs."

What is a synonym for "make a profit"?

Synonyms for "make a profit" include "generate revenue", "earn a profit", or "turn a profit". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "make a profit" and "break even"?

"Make a profit" means earning more revenue than expenses, while "break even" means revenue equals expenses. If a company "breaks even", it does not lose money but also does not "make a profit".

Is it correct to say "making profits" instead of "make a profit"?

Yes, "making profits" is also correct and commonly used. It is a more general term that implies a continuous action. For example, "The company is focused on "making profits" through innovation and efficiency."