not commercially viable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not commercially viable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a product, service, or idea that is unlikely to be profitable or successful in the market. Example: "After conducting market research, we concluded that the proposed product is not commercially viable due to high production costs and low consumer demand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Marine energy is still not commercially viable.

The Economist

Good-quality content which is not commercially viable," added Tabor.

The Guardian

At such rates, many potential projects are not commercially viable.

The Guardian

Sousa's operation, they said, was not commercially viable because of the great variation in liver sizes.

The New Yorker

To grow further in the game, we always hear it is not commercially viable," Borren said.

The Guardian - Sport

Carrying one person into orbit in this way is probably not commercially viable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Historically, he explained, producers have shied away from investing in the work of black playwrights or plays that reflect black lives and experiences because they thought these weren't commercially viable.

The Guardian

But last fall the company decided the center wasn't commercially viable, he says, and its decision to "break up the pieces" led him out to bow out.

Science Magazine

There is only one problem: The fuels to run these trucks do not exist yet–at least not in commercially viable quantities.

Forbes

Therefore, simply not using SMGs for most agriculturally-important plant species will probably not be commercially viable.

BMC Biotechnology

Industrial-scale second generation biofuel plants that use mostly cellulose, like corn stalks and hay, are not expected to come online at least until 2012, while third generation technology using algae might not be commercially viable until 2015.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing the viability of a project, clearly define the metrics used to determine commercial success. Quantify potential revenue streams, cost factors, and market demand to support your conclusion that something is "not commercially viable".

Common error

Don't assume that something is commercially viable just because it has inherent value or potential benefits. A technology might be groundbreaking but "not commercially viable" if the production costs are too high or there is no clear market demand.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not commercially viable" functions as an adjective phrase, typically modifying a noun to indicate that the noun (e.g., a project, a technology, a business) is unlikely to be profitable or self-sustaining in the market. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing numerous examples where the phrase describes the economic infeasibility of various endeavors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not commercially viable" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something that is unlikely to be profitable or sustainable in the marketplace. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples of its usage across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in news, science, and formal business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure that you clearly define the metrics used to assess commercial success and avoid confusing viability with inherent value. Consider alternatives like "unprofitable" or "not financially feasible" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unprofitable

Focuses specifically on the lack of profit.

uneconomical

Emphasizes the lack of economic sense or efficiency.

non-viable economically

Reorders the words slightly for emphasis.

not financially feasible

Uses more formal language to convey the lack of financial practicality.

not economically sustainable

Highlights the inability to maintain economic viability over time.

market failure

Describes the situation where the market is unable to support the product or service.

not a money-making venture

Uses informal language to convey the lack of profitability.

not revenue-generating

Specifically focuses on the absence of revenue creation.

loss-making

Highlights the tendency to incur losses.

not sustainable as a business

Emphasizes the inability of a business model to be maintained.

FAQs

How can I use "not commercially viable" in a sentence?

You can use "not commercially viable" to describe projects, ideas, or technologies that are unlikely to generate enough revenue to cover their costs. For example, "The proposed business model is "not commercially viable" without significant investment."

What can I say instead of "not commercially viable"?

Alternatives include "unprofitable", "uneconomical", or "not financially feasible". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What makes something "not commercially viable"?

Something might be "not commercially viable" due to high production costs, low market demand, regulatory hurdles, or a combination of these factors. It essentially means that the venture is unlikely to be profitable or sustainable.

Is there a difference between "not commercially viable" and "not technically feasible"?

Yes, "not technically feasible" means that something is impossible or impractical to create or implement with current technology. "Not commercially viable" means that something is possible but unlikely to generate profit, even if technically feasible.