tiny profits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tiny profits" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where the financial gains from a business or investment are minimal or insignificant. Example: "After analyzing the quarterly reports, it became clear that the company was only generating tiny profits, which raised concerns among the investors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The reason, Mr. Bernoff said, is that music tracks that are downloaded digitally generate tiny profits.

The New York Times - Tech

Then they overload their 18-wheelers in dangerous ways, pay bribes to ward off highway inspectors and hope to eke out tiny profits.

The New York Times

The author is particularly astute about what it's like to be an artist in a world where people keep "their true opinions to themselves" while chasing "tiny profits".

The New York Times - Books

Yet from €390m pre-tax profit in that year it slid into two years of tiny profits and then, in 2004, into a €50m loss.Not everyone did badly.

The Economist

But although it dominates e-commerce in America and Europe, Amazon's tiny profits and big spending projects are starting to worry investors; its share price is down by almost a fifth since the start of the year.

The Economist

With the help of complex algorithms and ultrafast Internet connections, the new traders could buy and sell stocks in fractions of seconds, looking to make a seemingly infinite number of quick, tiny profits that added up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Grocery, with its tiny profit margins, adds complications.

The Economist

The jobs you did for hire might yield a tiny profit.

The New York Times

Its market valuation is more than 500 times last year's tiny profit.

The New York Times

When selling, price fluctuations at market can turn even a successful harvest into a tiny profit.

The Guardian

One method is to sell everything as cheaply as possible and magnify a tiny profit through volume.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, use "tiny profits" to clearly communicate that the gains are minimal, avoiding overly optimistic or misleading language.

Common error

Avoid using "tiny profits" when the actual profits, although not substantial, still play a key role in overall financial strategy or long-term growth.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tiny profits" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "tiny" modifies the noun "profits". It describes the size or amount of the profits being discussed. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tiny profits" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe minimal financial gains. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially in news and business reporting. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the financial situation, avoiding exaggeration or understatement. Consider related phrases like "meager earnings" or "slim gains" to add nuance. While widely accepted, avoid overstating the insignificance of profits if they contribute to a broader strategy. Major sources like The New York Times and The Economist frequently employ "tiny profits" to underscore financial limitations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

meager earnings

Focuses on the small amount of money earned.

slim gains

Emphasizes the narrow margin of profit.

marginal revenues

Highlights the minimal increase in income.

small returns

Underscores the low yield on investment.

modest income

Suggests a limited amount of money coming in.

negligible proceeds

Stresses the insignificance of the financial outcome.

limited profitability

Refers to the restricted capacity to generate profit.

scant earnings

Emphasizes the deficiency of earnings.

slight surplus

Indicates a minimal excess of income over expenses.

low yield

Highlights the reduced return on investment.

FAQs

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

You can use "tiny profits" to describe a situation where a business or investment generates very little financial gain. For example: "The company managed to stay afloat, despite generating only "tiny profits" this quarter".

What are some alternatives to "tiny profits"?

Alternatives to "tiny profits" include "meager earnings", "slim gains", or "marginal revenues", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "small profits" or "tiny profits"?

"Small profits" and "tiny profits" are similar, but "tiny profits" emphasizes an even smaller amount. The best choice depends on how minimal the profit actually is.

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

It typically indicates that the company's revenue barely exceeds its expenses. This can signal potential financial instability or the need for strategic adjustments.