surplus value

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surplus value" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in economic and Marxist theory to refer to the difference between the value produced by labor and the actual wage paid to the laborer. Example: "In Marxist economics, surplus value is a key concept that explains how capitalists profit from the labor of workers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why the surplus value of beauty?

The New York Times - Books

Freud shows that beauty isn't a surplus value at all.

The New York Times - Books

We shall at last discover the secret of making surplus value.

The Guardian - Books

The exploited class (workers) produces the surplus value appropriated by the class of exploiters (capitalists).

The Guardian - Opinion

"Went to Sam's class on surplus value," says the one for 13 June.

The Guardian - Books

Surplus value, Marxian economic concept that professed to explain the instability of the capitalist system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To make a profit, Marx argued, the capitalist appropriates this surplus value, thereby exploiting the labourer.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Only payroll capital—"variable capital"—is productive of surplus value and consequently of profit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The remainder is "surplus labour," and the value it produces is "surplus value".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Second, capital is a potential to realize "surplus value" rather than a stock of stored-up labor or money.

The New York Times - Books

He reluctantly accepts, but only on the condition that they discuss the difference between surplus value and profit afterward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing Marxist economic theory, use "surplus value" precisely to refer to the difference between the value a worker produces and the wage they receive. This ensures accurate representation of the concept.

Common error

Avoid using "surplus value" interchangeably with general terms like "profit" or "revenue". "Surplus value" has a specific meaning within Marxist economics and shouldn't be used loosely to describe any kind of financial gain.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surplus value" is as a noun phrase, typically functioning as a subject or object within a sentence. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase denotes a specific economic concept, especially prevalent in discussions about labour and capital.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

19%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "surplus value" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, predominantly within the realms of economics, philosophy, and related academic discussions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its primary function is to describe a key concept in Marxist economic theory: the difference between the value produced by labor and the wage paid to the worker. The register is formal, and its usage is generally confined to contexts where economic theories and labor dynamics are being analyzed. While alternatives like "excess profit" exist, the term's specific association with Marxist thought makes it the most precise choice in relevant discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excess profit

Focuses specifically on the profit that exceeds the normal or expected return.

added value

Emphasizes the increase in worth a process or labor brings to a product or service.

profit margin

Highlights the difference between the cost of a good or service and its selling price.

economic rent

Refers to earnings above the minimum necessary to keep a resource in its current use.

windfall gain

Implies a sudden, unexpected increase in value or profit.

unearned increment

Signifies an increase in value that is not due to the efforts of the owner.

additional revenue

Simply indicates extra income beyond the baseline.

incremental value

Highlights the gradual addition of worth over time or through successive steps.

value accretion

Emphasizes the growth or accumulation of value.

supernormal profit

Denotes profit that exceeds the level necessary to keep a firm operating in a competitive market.

FAQs

How is "surplus value" used in Marxist theory?

In Marxist theory, "surplus value" represents the difference between the value produced by a worker's labor and the wages they receive. It is the source of capitalist profit and a key concept in understanding capitalist exploitation.

What's the difference between "surplus value" and profit?

"Surplus value" is a theoretical concept in Marxist economics referring to the unpaid labor extracted by capitalists. Profit is a broader term encompassing all financial gains, which, according to Marx, ultimately originate from "surplus value".

Are there alternatives to using the term "surplus value"?

While "surplus value" is the standard term in Marxist discourse, you could use phrases like "excess profit" or "added value" in different contexts, but be aware they may not fully capture the specific theoretical meaning.

Is "surplus value" only relevant in discussions of Marxism?

While primarily associated with Marxist economics, the concept of "surplus value" can be useful in analyzing power dynamics and the distribution of wealth in various economic systems, though it’s most precisely applied within a Marxist framework.