The spelling of the phrase "profits by" can be a bit tricky for non-native English speakers. The first word, "profits," is pronounced /ˈprɒfɪts/ with the stress on the first syllable. The second word, "by," is pronounced /baɪ/ with a long "i" sound. Together, they form a phrase that means to gain or benefit from something, often financially. This phrase is commonly used in discussions of investing or business strategies. With practice, the spelling of "profits by" can be mastered by English learners.
The term "profits by" typically refers to gaining advantages or benefiting from a particular situation or circumstance. It can be used to describe the act of utilizing or exploiting something in order to achieve personal gain or benefits, often of a financial nature.
When someone "profits by" a situation, they are effectively making the most out of a given opportunity or condition, with the goal of attaining advantageous outcomes. This can involve leveraging resources, skills, knowledge, or any other advantageous factor to achieve favorable results. The concept of "profits by" encompasses various aspects, including monetary gains, improved outcomes, or heightened success.
The phrase "profits by" can also be associated with the notion of exploiting or taking advantage of others, particularly in a negative context. This may involve manipulating circumstances or people to maximize one's personal benefits while disregarding the well-being or interests of others. Such behavior is often viewed as ethically questionable or immoral.
In a broader sense, "profits by" can extend beyond financial gains and encompass personal growth or development. It can refer to extracting valuable lessons or experiences from a particular situation, leading to increased knowledge, skills, and personal enrichment.
Overall, the term "profits by" signifies the act of deriving beneficial outcomes, whether financial, personal, or otherwise, by effectively utilizing available resources, opportunities, or circumstances.
The word "profits" comes from the Latin "proficere", which means "to make progress, to advance". It was derived from combining the prefix "pro", meaning "forward", and the verb "facere", meaning "to make or do".
The word "by" has several potential origins. One possibility is that it originates from the Old English word "bi", meaning "near, at, by, around". Another possibility is that it is derived from the Old Norse word "bi", meaning "about, around". Both of these origins were eventually combined and evolved into the modern English word "by", which primarily signifies proximity or the means or method of achieving something.
So, when we combine the origins of both words, "profits by" expresses the idea of making progress or gaining advantage through close proximity or by means of a particular method or approach.