not yet profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not yet profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a business or investment that has not started generating a profit but is expected to do so in the future. Example: "The startup has been operating for two years and is still not yet profitable, but we believe that with the right strategy, it will turn a profit soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

LC: We're not yet profitable, but have a very good handle on our growth versus profitability.

TechCrunch

It is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

But Zipcar is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

But, RedEnvelope is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

Pandora, for instance is not yet profitable, despite improving revenue.

The New York Times

The double-decker plane has drained resources and is not yet profitable.

The Economist

But it is not yet profitable, since it is focusing on building up critical mass.

The Economist

The park, 40 minutes by car from Kunming, is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

Like many of its small Internet peers, the company is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

One company that is not yet profitable in which Mr. Quattrone has faith: Twitter.

The New York Times

But like most of the nonsubscription news sites, the Journal site is not yet profitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not yet profitable", provide context about the company's growth strategy or future prospects to maintain a positive outlook. For example, "The company is "not yet profitable", but its user base is growing rapidly."

Common error

Avoid using "not yet profitable" without further explanation. Simply stating this fact can sound negative; instead, include information about revenue growth, potential markets, or future plans to give a more complete picture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not yet profitable" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often a company, business, or venture) to describe its current financial state. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not yet profitable" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a business or venture that hasn't reached profitability. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While it's a neutral phrase, it's best practice to provide context, such as future growth plans, to avoid negative interpretations. Alternatives like "currently unprofitable" or "yet to break even" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Given that it's a very common phrase, users will find the generated examples and explanations very useful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

currently unprofitable

Focuses on the present state of lacking profit, similar to "not yet profitable".

still losing money

Highlights the ongoing financial losses, implying a lack of profitability.

operating at a loss

Emphasizes that the business activities are resulting in financial losses.

yet to break even

Indicates that the venture hasn't reached the point of covering its costs.

not making a profit

Simply states the absence of profit generation.

in the red

An idiomatic expression for being financially in debt or losing money.

not yielding returns

Focuses on the lack of positive investment returns.

investment phase

Suggests that the focus is currently on investing rather than profiting.

still in development

Indicates that the product or service is not ready for commercial success.

pre-profit stage

Explicitly states the situation before profitability.

FAQs

What does it mean when a company is "not yet profitable"?

It means the company's expenses exceed its revenue, resulting in a net loss. It doesn't necessarily indicate failure, as many startups and growing companies invest heavily in expansion before achieving profitability.

What are some alternatives to saying "not yet profitable"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "currently unprofitable", "still losing money", or "yet to break even".

Is it always bad if a business is "not yet profitable"?

No, it's common for new businesses or those in a growth phase to be "not yet profitable". It's important to consider factors like revenue growth, market potential, and investment strategy before drawing conclusions.

How long can a company remain "not yet profitable"?

There's no set timeframe. Some companies become profitable quickly, while others may take several years or even longer, especially those relying on venture capital and prioritizing growth over immediate profits. Companies such as Uber (mentioned in one of the snippets) were "not yet profitable" for a long time.