What are the definitions of “plough back”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Re - invest money you have made into a business.
We PLOUGHED BACK all the profits to grow the company.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “plough back”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb plough back is to reinvest money that has been earned back into a business. This is often done to help the business grow and improve its operations.
What are the different verb forms of “plough back”?
| Root Verb | plough back |
| Third Person Singular Present | ploughs back |
| Present Participle | ploughing back |
| Simple Past | ploughed back |
| Past Participle | ploughed back |
Example
They decided to plough back their profits into the business.
Example
She ploughs back her earnings to expand her store.
Example
He is ploughing back the money he made into his startup.
Example
Last year, they ploughed back a significant amount of their profits.
Example
The funds have been ploughed back into the company's research and development department.
What kind of phrasal verb is “plough back”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“plough back” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The company ploughed back its profits into new projects.
Example
She ploughed her earnings back into the business.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“plough back” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The company ploughed back its profits into new projects.
Example
She ploughed her earnings back into the business.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “plough back”?
Good things to know
Does “plough back” have an informal or formal tone?
Plough back is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in business and financial discussions, as well as in everyday conversations about personal finances.
