what is leverage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is leverage" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking for an explanation or definition of the term "leverage." For example, "In finance, what is leverage and how does it affect investments?" Alternative expressions include "what does leverage mean" and "how is leverage defined."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"When somebody from one of the clubs calls up, what is your leverage?" said John Sterling, publisher of Henry Holt.

The New York Times - Books

"What is our leverage toward a country like Iran? Very little," said Michael Horowitz, a fellow at the Hudson Institute who advises the Global Internet Freedom Consortium.

The New York Times - Tech

What is your leverage, you say?

Huffington Post

That is what is known as leverage.

The Guardian - Business

ConvoTrack is the name of the tool, and what it does is leverage the BackType API to enable anyone to see what's being said about e.g. a TechCrunch article in just one browser window or tab.

TechCrunch

(To read more about leverage, see "Margin Trading" and "What is the difference between leverage and margin?") Over time, as the underlying security appreciates and the call option builds equity, the option loses most of its leverage and becomes much less volatile.

Forbes

Jon Ein, Paris Cover for Netanyahu Regarding Roger Cohen's "Crunch time" (Globalist, Oct. 29): What is President Barack Obama's leverage over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?

The New York Times

Unable to let this go, we will see many new designs that best leverage what is good in virtual with what is good in the physical world.

Forbes

With assets like Patch, Moviefone, and MapQuest, we are well-positioned to leverage what is the greatest shift in consumer behavior since the Internet emerged.

TechCrunch

Let's leverage what is proven, and learn from our mistakes as we go.

Huffington Post

The good news is we know what is necessary: We must leverage our successes to fully protect the most vulnerable species, improve shark and ray fisheries management world-wide, and shift demand away from unsustainable shark and ray products.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the context (financial, physical or political) immediately after using the phrase to avoid semantic confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "What is leverage" in a general sense without defining the stakes. In business writing, failing to distinguish between operational leverage and financial leverage can lead to significant misinterpretations of risk.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "What is leverage" functions primarily as an interrogative clause used to seek a definition or clarify the extent of a strategic advantage. According to Ludwig, it often appears at the beginning of inquiries or as part of a larger relative clause explaining financial or political mechanisms.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "What is leverage" is a highly effective tool for clarifying strategic and financial positions. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is standard and correct English, appearing frequently in elite publications like The New York Times and The Economist. Whether you are discussing the mechanical advantage of a physical lever or the complex debt structures of a modern bank, this phrase serves as the primary entry point for deeper analysis. Writers should be mindful of the specific field—finance, physics or politics—to ensure that the broad concept of "leverage" is translated into a concrete understanding of risk and reward for the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what does leverage mean

Focuses on the semantic definition rather than the specific instance.

meaning of leverage

A more direct noun-based inquiry into the definition.

how do you define leverage

Requests a formal or personal interpretation of the term.

leverage definition

A shorthand typically used in search or glossary contexts.

what constitutes leverage

Examines the components or factors that create a position of advantage.

nature of leverage

A more philosophical or fundamental investigation into the concept.

what is financial leverage

Narrows the scope specifically to debt-to-equity ratios and capital structures.

explanation of leverage

Asks for a broader conceptual breakdown rather than a simple definition.

understanding leverage

Often used in educational headings to imply a comprehensive overview.

what is the leverage ratio

Specifically refers to the numerical measurement in accounting or banking.

FAQs

How do I use "What is leverage" in a sentence?

You can use it to initiate a technical discussion, such as "Before we proceed with the buyout, we need to clarify "what is leverage" in this specific capital structure".

What can I say instead of "What is leverage"?

You can use alternatives like "meaning of leverage", "what does leverage mean" or "how do you define leverage" depending on the context.

Is it "What is leverage" or "What is financial leverage"?

Both are correct, but "what is financial leverage" is more precise when discussing corporate debt or investment strategies.

What is the difference between "What is leverage" and "What is margin"?

While related, "what is margin" refers specifically to the equity an investor has in their account, whereas leverage refers to the total amount of debt used to increase potential returns.