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Postmodernbliss Posted 14 years ago
Grammar
Article usage with the words 'profit'
Hello,
Many kind thanks in advance for someone who can answer the following question. When using the word 'profit', we often omit an indefinite article when we use it in conjunction with the word 'earn' (e.g. We earned a lot of profit last year.). However, when we use the word profit with 'lose','lost',, or 'loss', we don't use an article (e.g. We lose profit when..We lost profit when...Our profit loss was...). Why is this?
Also, what is the correct usage of 'profit' vs. 'profits'.
Again, thank you to anyone whom take the time to answer my question. I am always amazed by the kindness and generosity of the people who answer grammar questions, such as mine.
Best regards.
Many kind thanks in advance for someone who can answer the following question. When using the word 'profit', we often omit an indefinite article when we use it in conjunction with the word 'earn' (e.g. We earned a lot of profit last year.). However, when we use the word profit with 'lose','lost',, or 'loss', we don't use an article (e.g. We lose profit when..We lost profit when...Our profit loss was...). Why is this?
Also, what is the correct usage of 'profit' vs. 'profits'.
Again, thank you to anyone whom take the time to answer my question. I am always amazed by the kindness and generosity of the people who answer grammar questions, such as mine.
Best regards.
Top answer
Profit can be used in a countable or uncountable sense. This means that you can say "make profit" or "make a profit" (or earn (a) profit for that matter) without any significant difference in meaning. You can't normally use "a" after "a lot of" because we expect either a plural noun or uncountable noun to follow it (a lot of people/ a lot of courage/ a lot of profit).
- Profit can be used in a countable or uncountable sense.
- This means that you can say "make profit" or "make a profit" (or earn (a) profit for that matter) without any significant difference in meaning.
- You can't normally use "a" after "a lot of" because we expect either a plural noun or uncountable noun to follow it (a lot of people/ a lot of courage/ a lot of profit).
- A company's goal is to make profit/make a profit.
- (no difference in meaning) "a" is required if we're referring to a particular amount of profit.
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1 Answers
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Profit can be used in a countable or uncountable sense. This means that you can say "make profit" or "make a profit" (or earn (a) profit for that matter) without any significant difference in meaning. You can't normally use "a" after "a lot of" because we expect either a plural noun or uncountable noun to follow it (a lot of people/ a lot of courage/ a lot of profit).
A company's goal i
A company's goal i
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