turnover

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "turnover" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in business contexts to refer to the total sales made by a company or the rate at which employees leave and are replaced within an organization. Example: "The company's turnover increased significantly this quarter, indicating strong sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Shelter in 2012 proposed a new "stable rental contract" which it believes would give tenants greater stability and also give landlords more certainty of a good return, because a high turnover of tenants can cause them expensive hassle they don't need.

The Guardian

The group of companies - and you can download and explore the data below - have a combined turnover between 2008 and 2011 of £116.4bn.

The Guardian

"An acquisition of [a company like] All3Media would solve problems for ITV Studios giving them increased turnover, profits and it will diversify ITV's revenue base and critically could drive formats that will sell overseas," said another industry source.

The Guardian

In published details about the turnover, tax and headcount of the main countries in which its operates, Barclays also revealed it paid just £20m of tax in Luxembourg.

The Guardian - Business

The amount is the equivalent of the bookshop's annual turnover and campaigners are worried it could spell the end for the literary hub, which champions the work of repressed writers and is at the centre of Belarus's independent publishing scene.

The Guardian

There's been a lot of personnel turnover at the Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad recently, but even if Herzog wasn't keen to sign up for a full-time gig alongside Dennis Waterman, Denis Lawson and Nicholas Lyndhurst, the writers could still try and simulate some of that Nordic noir magic by sending the hangdog plod squad to Europe.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Produce arrives all day in handcarts and lorries, and turnover is fast.

The Guardian

Lack's return might hint at a bit of wistfulness among NBC executives for the good old days, when all the network's major news shows were No 1 and corporate turnover was running at a lower RPM.

The Guardian

Phones 4u said it remained profitable, with turnover of more than £1bn, underlying earnings of £105m in 2013 and significant cash in the bank.

The Guardian - Business

Because turnover in the global financial markets is so enormous, even a tax levied at 0.05% on every trade could raise $400bn £255bnn) a year – enough to double foreign aid, provide $100bn a year for poor countries to adapt to climate change, and leave $100bn over for rich countries to reduce their deficits.

The Guardian - Business

He arrived in the UK in 1980 and bought the then small textile firm Polly Peck, which had a turnover of £2m.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial performance, use "turnover" to refer to the total revenue generated within a specific period. This term provides a comprehensive view of a company's sales activity.

Common error

Avoid using "turnover" interchangeably with "profit". "Turnover" represents gross revenue, while profit is the remaining amount after deducting all expenses. Misusing the terms can misrepresent a company's financial health.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "turnover" is as a noun, referring to the act of overturning, the amount of money taken in sales, employee attrition, or a pastry. Ludwig provides various examples illustrating these different uses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "turnover" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, encompassing financial revenue, employee attrition, inventory replacement, and even pastries. Ludwig's analysis confirms it as a grammatically correct and frequently used term, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, be mindful of the specific context to ensure clarity. While "turnover" can refer to a company's revenue, avoid confusing it with profit. Instead of “turnover”, alternatives include "revenue", "staff attrition", and "stock rotation" depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revenue

Refers specifically to the income generated from sales, a narrower aspect of overall "turnover".

sales volume

Focuses on the quantity of goods or services sold, rather than the total monetary value, which "turnover" often implies.

staff attrition

Specifically addresses the rate at which employees leave an organization, a common but not exclusive meaning of "turnover".

employee departures

Similar to staff attrition, highlighting the movement of employees out of a company.

stock rotation

Emphasizes the process of replacing inventory, a specific application of the "turnover" concept.

rate of replacement

Describes the speed at which something is being replaced, applicable in various contexts where "turnover" is used.

upset

In the context of a surprise or unexpected result, relating to the 'overturning' aspect of turnover.

overthrow

Conveys a more forceful and often political sense of overturning or displacement.

total transactions

Emphasizes the count of completed exchanges, which contribute to the overall "turnover" figure.

business volume

A broader term referring to the overall amount of activity in a business, of which "turnover" is a key metric.

FAQs

What does "turnover" mean in a business context?

In business, "turnover" typically refers to the total amount of revenue generated by a company within a specific period. It can also refer to the rate at which employees leave a company or the rate at which inventory is sold and replaced.

How is "turnover" different from profit?

"Turnover" represents the total revenue from sales, whereas profit is the amount remaining after deducting all expenses from the "revenue". "Turnover" indicates the scale of sales, while profit indicates the profitability of those sales.

What are some alternatives to using "turnover" when discussing employee departures?

When referring to employee departures, you can use alternatives like "staff attrition", "employee departures", or "staff turnover rate" depending on the specific context.

What factors contribute to high employee "turnover"?

Factors contributing to high employee "turnover" can include low job satisfaction, lack of growth opportunities, inadequate compensation, poor management, and a negative work environment. Addressing these factors can help reduce "staff attrition".