were not profitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not profitable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the financial performance of a business, project, or investment that did not generate a profit. Example: "Despite the initial investment, the last quarter's operations were not profitable, leading to a reevaluation of our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

The transactions were not profitable to RBC".

The New York Times

Newspapers were not profitable investments, Lebedev conceded at the time.

The Guardian

"The other stores were not profitable," he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Ghosn dismissed concerns about unit sales, saying that in the past, "80percentt of our cars were not profitable".

The New York Times

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the 200 stores to be closed were not profitable.

Independent

Mr. Homeijer said New Jersey Transit's Midtown Direct train service to Manhattan had decreased the number of weekend bus passengers and the lines were not profitable.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

"The stores weren't profitable," selling the line, Dean Factor said.

The New York Times - Style

Adoption services weren't profitable enough.

Forbes

They weren't profitable anyway.

TechCrunch

Four motorways profited from the equalisation system defined above, which implies that they are not profitable.

European Transport Research Review

The site is not profitable.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Substitute “"were not economical"” or “"did not make money"” to vary your language while maintaining clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "were not profitable" as a standalone statement without specifying what exactly was unprofitable. For example, instead of saying "The project were not profitable", specify "The project's overseas operations were not profitable" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not profitable" functions as a descriptive statement indicating the lack of financial gain or profitability for a specific entity, activity, or period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct. Examples include: "The transactions were not profitable to RBC" and "The stores weren't profitable."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were not profitable" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe entities, activities, or periods that did not generate a profit. It appears frequently in news media and business contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. When using this phrase, ensure you provide sufficient context to clarify the reasons behind the lack of profitability. Alternatives such as ""did not make money"" and "operated at a loss" can be used for variety. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and valid use in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not make money

Replaces the more formal "profitable" with a simpler expression.

operated at a loss

Focuses on the financial outcome of losing money instead of making it.

did not generate revenue

Emphasizes the absence of income creation.

were not financially viable

Highlights the lack of long-term financial sustainability.

failed to produce profit

Uses "failed" to underscore the unsuccessful outcome.

did not yield returns

Focuses on the lack of investment gains.

were uneconomical

Highlights the inefficiency and wastefulness in economic terms.

were losing money

Uses the continuous tense to emphasize the ongoing loss of funds.

did not break even

Indicates that costs were not covered by revenues.

were in the red

Employs an idiomatic expression for financial loss.

FAQs

How can I use "were not profitable" in a sentence?

You can use "were not profitable" to describe businesses, projects, or investments that did not generate a profit. For example: "Despite the initial investment, the stores "were not profitable"."

What can I say instead of "were not profitable"?

You can use alternatives like "operated at a loss", ""did not make money"", or "failed to produce profit" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "were unprofitable" or "were not profitable"?

Both "were unprofitable" and "were not profitable" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "were unprofitable" might sound slightly more concise.

What does it mean when something "were not profitable"?

When something "were not profitable", it means that the expenses or costs associated with it exceeded the revenue or income it generated, resulting in a financial loss rather than a gain.