operating at a loss

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'operating at a loss' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a company, business, or organization that is producing or providing services but not generating enough revenue. For example, "After two years, the restaurant was still operating at a loss, and the owners decided to close it down."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Rather than approaching profitability, the company was operating at a loss of $1 million a month.

The New York Times - Magazine

"All of my members are operating at a loss".

The New York Times

Lately the company has been operating at a loss.

The Economist

For several months it was operating at a loss.

The New York Times

Several, including the Guardian, Times and Independent, are operating at a loss.

The Guardian - Opinion

This means that many funds, mainly those with hefty marketing expenses, are operating at a loss.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

It operated at a loss before 2013.

The New Yorker

Many new airports operate at a loss.

The Economist

But the group never operated at a loss".

The Guardian

Because, in part, of underpayment, half of American hospitals operated at a loss in 2007.

The New Yorker

"If nursing home owners are forced to operate at a loss, the entire industry will disappear".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's financial status, be specific about the time frame. For instance, "The company has been "operating at a loss" for the past three quarters" provides more context than just saying it's "operating at a loss".

Common error

Avoid using "operating at a loss" to describe short-term financial dips. This phrase indicates a sustained period of negative profitability, not just a bad month. If it is a temporary setback, specify using phrases like "experiencing a temporary dip in profits".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "operating at a loss" functions as a descriptor, indicating the financial status of a business, organization, or project. It signifies that the entity's expenses exceed its income, resulting in a negative profit margin. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "operating at a loss" is a common way to describe a business or organization that is spending more money than it is earning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatically correct and frequent usage. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase indicates financial underperformance and potential unsustainability. Related phrases include "losing money" and "running a deficit". When using the phrase, ensure you provide specific time frames and differentiate between short-term setbacks and sustained financial losses to maintain clarity and accuracy in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing money

A more straightforward and general way of saying that expenses exceed income.

making a loss

A more common expression, mostly used in British English, indicating financial losses.

not profitable

Directly states the absence of profit, indicating that revenues are not covering costs.

running a deficit

Focuses on the shortfall between income and expenses, often used in governmental or organizational contexts.

failing to break even

Emphasizes the inability to cover costs with revenues.

in the red

An idiomatic expression indicating financial losses or debt.

cash flow negative

Indicates that more money is flowing out of the business than coming in.

underperforming financially

Highlights that the entity is not meeting its financial expectations.

financially unsustainable

Suggests that the current financial state cannot be maintained long term.

economically unviable

Implies that the business or project cannot succeed financially under current conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "operating at a loss" in a sentence?

You can use "operating at a loss" to describe a business, project, or organization that is spending more money than it is earning. For example, "The company was "operating at a loss" due to high production costs".

What are some alternatives to saying "operating at a loss"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "losing money", "running a deficit", or "not profitable".

Is it grammatically correct to say "operating at a loss"?

Yes, "operating at a loss" is grammatically correct and widely used in business and financial contexts.

What does it mean for a company to be "operating at a loss"?

When a company is "operating at a loss", it means that its expenses are greater than its revenues. It's not profitable and is spending more money than it is making.