small profits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "small profits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial outcomes, particularly in business contexts where the earnings are minimal. Example: "Despite the challenges, the company managed to sustain its operations with small profits over the last quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

G.M. is eking out small profits.

The New Yorker

Moreover, the mandatory price reductions make for small profits.

The Economist

At board-a-match, small profits are important.

The New York Times

Those lines operate with small profits or losses, the company said.

The New York Times

(Many orchardists ask pickers not to climb the trees; broken limbs cut into their small profits).

The New York Times

JPMorgan's asset management business and treasury services units also recorded small profits.

The New York Times

The Small profits rate has also been reduced to 20percentnt.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

However, it did report a small profit.

The New York Times - Tech

But many analysts had expected a small profit.

The New York Times

It had been expected to make a small profit.

The Economist

It was called "Without Apology" and made a small profit.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "small profits" when you want to downplay the financial success of a business or activity. It's useful for providing context when discussing challenges or limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "small profits" in contexts where the profits, even if not substantial, are still a significant achievement or represent a turnaround. In such cases, phrases like "steady gains" or "modest improvement" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "small profits" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "small" modifies the noun "profits". Its primary grammatical function is to describe the size or magnitude of the profits earned. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "small profits" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe limited financial gains. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is perfectly acceptable. Its usage spans across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Business, where it serves to provide a realistic perspective on financial performance. While phrases like "modest profits" or "minimal earnings" can serve as alternatives, understanding the specific context will ensure the most appropriate choice of words. Using "small profits" judiciously helps to avoid overstating financial success and provides a balanced assessment of a situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modest profits

Emphasizes the limited scale of the profits.

small gains

Highlights a small improvement or advantage achieved.

minimal earnings

Focuses on the low amount of money earned.

slight gains

Highlights the small degree of improvement or increase.

limited returns

Indicates that the benefits or yields are restricted.

marginal profits

Indicates profits that are barely sufficient or significant.

meager revenues

Stresses the insufficiency of income.

narrow margins

Focuses on the slim difference between revenue and costs.

tight profits

Emphasizes the constrained or restricted nature of the profits.

slim pickings

Implies that there's not much available or worthwhile in terms of profits.

FAQs

How can I use "small profits" in a sentence?

You might say, "Despite the high sales volume, the company reported only "small profits" due to high operating costs." or "The venture generated "small profits", but it was a valuable learning experience."

What are some alternatives to "small profits"?

Consider using phrases like "modest profits", "minimal earnings", or "slight gains" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "tiny profits" instead of "small profits"?

While "tiny profits" is understandable, "small profits" is more commonly used in formal and business contexts. "Tiny profits" might be suitable for informal conversation.

What does it mean when a company reports "small profits"?

It indicates that the company's revenues exceeded its expenses, but the profit margin was relatively low. This could be due to factors like high competition, increased costs, or inefficient operations.