that was profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past event or action that resulted in financial gain or benefit. Example: "The investment we made last year was risky, but in the end, that was profitable for our company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We wouldn't have given up a product that was profitable," a Penney spokeswoman said.

The New York Times

CNF was meanwhile building up a separate nonunion trucking business that was profitable.

The New York Times

And without focusing on it in a significant way, we had a billion-dollar consumer business that was profitable.

Harvard Business Review

Banks soon started to favour business that was profitable (ie, risky) but which, under Basel 1's crude definitions, escaped the appropriate capital charges.

The Economist

"The view was to create a machinery that was profitable in making money for the group and investors," Mr. Piette said.

The New York Times

The Obama campaign also started a new Web site, romneyeconomics.com, that accuses Mr. Romney of engaging in business that was "profitable for a handful of corporate investors, but sometimes devastating for local communities".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The shaded area depicts merger alternatives that are profitable for purely-profit-maximizing hospitals.

European Journal of Health Economics

There are two airlines that are profitable.

Harvard Business Review

"We need better growth to get something that is profitable".

The New York Times - Magazine

"Some routes that are profitable may not survive".

The New York Times

"That way we end up with a sizable business that's profitable, versus a smaller business that's profitable".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a business outcome, use "that was profitable" to clearly indicate a positive financial result. For instance, "Despite the initial skepticism, investing in renewable energy that year was profitable."

Common error

Avoid replacing precise financial terms with generic words. Saying something "did well" lacks the clarity of stating "that was profitable" which directly implies financial success.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was profitable" functions as a descriptor, characterizing a past action, venture, or period as having generated a financial gain. As Ludwig AI exemplifies, it's used to convey the positive financial outcome of something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was profitable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the financial success of something in the past. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's versatile across different contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While alternatives like "it turned a profit" or "it yielded a return" can offer nuanced emphasis, "that was profitable" remains a clear and direct way to indicate financial gain. When using "that was profitable", be sure to focus on clarity to avoid vague replacements. It's also important to note that its usage should be reserved for scenarios that have already happened and have resulted in a gain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it turned a profit

Focuses on the act of generating a profit; more direct.

it generated revenue

Highlights the revenue-generating aspect; less specific about profit.

it yielded a return

Emphasizes the return on investment aspect.

it proved lucrative

Highlights the financial reward or gain.

it was financially rewarding

Focuses on the positive financial outcome or benefit.

it resulted in financial gain

More formal and emphasizes the financial gain.

it created wealth

Emphasizes wealth creation as a result.

it paid dividends

Emphasizes the benefits or rewards yielded over time.

it produced a surplus

Indicates an excess of income over expenditure.

it was a money-maker

Informal way to describe something that generates a lot of profit.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that was profitable" to sound more formal?

In a formal setting, consider using alternatives like "it yielded a return" or "it resulted in financial gain" for a more professional tone.

What's a more casual way to say "that was profitable"?

For a more relaxed tone, you could say "it was a money-maker" or "it turned a profit", depending on the context.

Is it always appropriate to use "that was profitable" when discussing finances?

While generally acceptable, "that was profitable" is best suited for summarizing past outcomes. When projecting future financial performance, phrases like "it is expected to be profitable" might be more fitting.

What's the difference between saying "that was profitable" and "that was beneficial"?

"That was profitable" specifically indicates a financial gain, whereas "that was beneficial" implies a broader range of positive outcomes, not necessarily limited to financial aspects.