profitably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "profitably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or decisions that result in financial gain or benefit. Example: "The company was able to operate profitably despite the challenging market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That American companies are not confident of investing profitably is reflected in forecasts for annual profits growth, which have fallen into single figures after three and a half years in double-digit territory.

The Economist

To count as a reserve, the fuel has to have a good chance of being profitably extracted.

The Guardian

And while the directors of LCDS, Laban and NSCD have understandably responded with anger to the attack that Shechter, Khan and Newson delivered, it sounds as though they could profitably sit down with the choreographers and continue the conversation.

The Guardian

The challenge is finding a way profitably to reach the rest.

The Economist

The idea is an old one, with broad application even in countries not blessed with the world's largest reserves of profitably accessible brown coal or its second largest reserves of iron ore.

The Economist

And there is an ancient empire to contend with, too: Microsoft, which recently launched its first tablet computer, is trying hard to get back into the game, having been profitably preoccupied with PC software.

The Economist

Before Mr McBride's time, Caldera's owners once profitably sued Microsoft.

The Economist

But even they have struggled to deploy money profitably.

The Economist

BRITAIN is top of a previously unknown league: countries in which to invest profitably in wind farms, according to Ernst & Young, an accountancy firm.

The Economist

Delays caused by settlement failures deprive investors of $300 billion that they could otherwise invest profitably, equating to losses of $9 billion a year at a conservative 3% interest rate, says the Kauffman report.

The Economist

At that wage level, it's difficult for firms in the tradable sector of these fast growing cities to profitably employ people; wage rates are above that justified by productivity.That dynamic alone may go a long way toward explaining America's labour market difficulties, but we can take the analysis a few steps further.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "profitably", ensure the context clearly indicates what is generating the profit. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the source of the financial gain.

Common error

Avoid using "profitably" in contexts where financial profit is not the primary concern. Opt for alternatives like "effectively" or "successfully" when describing non-monetary gains.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "profitably" is as an adverb, modifying a verb to indicate that an action is performed in a way that yields a profit or financial gain. Ludwig AI confirms this adverbial usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "profitably" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe actions performed in a way that generates financial gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly found in news and business contexts. When using "profitably", ensure clarity about the source of profit and avoid overuse in non-business scenarios. Alternatives like "lucratively" or "successfully" may be more appropriate in certain situations. The high source quality and consistent usage of "profitably" contribute to its reliability in formal and professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a lucrative manner

Focuses specifically on the financial reward or profit generated.

with a good return

Highlights the positive financial yield or outcome.

in a gainful way

Emphasizes the benefit or advantage obtained through the action.

to financial benefit

Specifically emphasizes the monetary gain or advantage.

to good advantage

Highlights the beneficial or favorable outcome achieved.

with positive results

Broadly indicates a successful and beneficial outcome.

for profit

Directly indicates the intention or motive of generating profit.

successfully

Indicates the accomplishment of a goal or objective.

in a rewarding fashion

Focuses on the satisfaction and value derived from the action.

in an efficient manner

Emphasizes the effectiveness and resourcefulness of the approach.

FAQs

How to use "profitably" in a sentence?

Use "profitably" to describe an action or investment that yields a financial gain or benefit. For example, "The company invested "profitably" in renewable energy sources".

What can I say instead of "profitably"?

You can use alternatives like "lucratively", "gainfully", or "successfully" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "profitably invest" or "profitable investment"?

"Profitably invest" is a verb phrase describing how an action is performed, while "profitable investment" is a noun phrase describing the investment itself. Both are correct but have different meanings and uses.

What is the difference between "profitably" and "efficiently"?

"Profitably" indicates a financial gain or return, while "efficiently" refers to the effective and resourceful use of resources. While an action can be both, "profitably" specifically highlights the monetary benefit.