- Are you ever unsure whether you should “make” business or “do” business with a client?
- Do you find yourself repeating the word “company” because you aren’t sure which adjectives pair naturally with “business”?
- Would you like to sound more professional and authoritative during meetings and in your corporate emails?
Mastering business collocations is the fastest way to transition from an intermediate “textbook” speaker to a fluent professional. In English, words like “business” have specific partners they like to travel with. Using these natural pairings reduces “Language Anxiety” because you are no longer translating word-for-word from your native language; instead, you are using ready-made “chunks” of language that native speakers instantly recognize and trust.
Essential Collocations using BUSINESS as a Noun
In English, “business” primarily functions as a noun. It can refer to the abstract concept of trade (uncountable) or a specific commercial entity (countable). Understanding which verbs and adjectives pair with these meanings is vital for clarity.
Verbs for Starting and Managing a Business
These collocations describe the lifecycle of a company, from its inception to its daily operations.
- Set up a business: To formally start or establish a company.
Example: She decided to set up a business specializing in eco-friendly packaging. - Run a business: To manage the day-to-day operations.
Example: Running a business requires excellent time-management skills. - Expand a business: To make a company larger or more influential.
Example: They are looking for investors to help expand the business into European markets. - Wind up a business: To close a business, often due to debt or retirement.
Example: After forty years of service, the owner decided to wind up the business.
Verbs for Interaction and Deals
These phrases focus on the activity of trading and interacting with other professionals.
- Do business: To engage in commercial activity (Note: Never use “make business”).
Example: It is a pleasure to do business with your firm. - Conduct business: A more formal way to say “do business.”
Example: Most of our business is conducted online these days. - Solicit business: To ask for or try to obtain trade or customers.
Example: The company is not allowed to solicit business in this specific residential area.
Adjectives for Size and Success
Use these to describe the scale or the financial health of a venture.
- Thriving business: A very successful and growing company.
Example: They turned a small stall into a thriving business. - Core business: The primary area of activity or the most important part of a company.
Example: We need to focus on our core business and sell off the smaller departments. - Family business: A company owned and operated by a single family.
Example: It started as a small family business three generations ago.
Common Collocations with BUSINESS as an Adjective (Attributive Noun)
In English, we often use the word “business” before another noun to modify it. In these cases, it functions like an adjective to define the purpose or context of the second word.
Professional Settings and Tools
These collocations identify specific items or events within the professional world.
- Business model: The design or plan for how a company generates revenue.
Example: Their business model relies heavily on subscription fees. - Business trip: A journey taken for work purposes.
Example: He is currently away on a business trip in Singapore. - Business hours: The time during which a company is open.
Example: Please call us during normal business hours.
Professional Relationships
Use these to define the people you interact with in a professional capacity.
- Business partner: A person who shares the ownership of a business.
Example: My business partner handles the legal side of the company. - Business rival: A competitor in the same market.
Example: They have been business rivals for over a decade. - Business associate: A person you know through work or commercial dealings.
Example: I was introduced to the CEO by a mutual business associate.
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Run a business | Verb + Noun | To manage or lead a company. |
| Do business | Verb + Noun | To engage in trade or commercial deals. |
| Business trip | Adj + Noun | A journey made for professional reasons. |
| Thriving business | Adj + Noun | A company that is doing very well. |
| Business model | Noun + Noun | A plan for how a company makes money. |
| Set up a business | Verb + Noun | To start a new company. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid the “translation trap” by recognizing these common learner errors. English speakers use specific verbs that do not always match the direct translation from other languages.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make business with someone | Do business with someone |
| The business is walking well | The business is doing well / thriving |
| Open a business (in a general sense) | Set up or Start a business |
| Go to a business (for travel) | Go on a business trip |
| A big business (referring to the industry) | Big business (no article) |
“When Sarah decided to set up a business last year, many of her friends thought it was a risky business model. However, she focused on her core business—organic skincare—and refused to do business with suppliers who didn’t meet her ethical standards. Today, she runs a thriving business that is expanding rapidly. She is currently on a business trip to negotiate a deal with a major business partner in New York.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Business Collocations
Is it “do business” or “make business”?
In English, you should always use “do business.” “Make business” is a common mistake for learners because many other languages use the verb “make” (like “faire” in French or “hacer” in Spanish) for commercial activities. In English, we “do” activities and “make” physical objects or results.
What is the difference between “a business” and “business”?
“A business” (countable) refers to a specific company or shop. “Business” (uncountable) refers to the general concept of trade, commerce, or work. For example, “I own a business” vs. “Business is slow this month.”
Can I say “start a business” instead of “set up a business”?
Yes, both are perfectly natural and modern. “Start a business” is slightly more common in casual conversation, while “set up a business” sounds slightly more formal and implies the process of organization and registration.
What does the phrase “business as usual” mean?
This is a common idiom meaning that everything is continuing as normal, despite a difficult situation or an interruption. For example, “Despite the power outage, it was business as usual at the bakery.”
Which preposition goes after “business”?
It depends on the context. We do business with someone (a partner), we are in business (operating), and we might be on business (travelling for work).
Are there any informal or slang ways to talk about business? Or are these collocations generally formal and applicable to most situations?
That's an interesting thought, Ravi! The collocations discussed here like 'set up a business' or 'do business' are quite standard and professional, suitable for most contexts. While there might be more casual ways to refer to work or deals in general slang, these specific 'business' collocations tend to maintain a certain level of formality. For truly informal talk, people might say 'make a deal' or 'get a gig,' but that moves away from the core 'business' collocations. Good question!
I'm trying to improve my writing for work, and this article is a goldmine. Using varied and correct collocations will make my reports sound so much more professional. I'm taking notes on 'set up a business' and 'run a business.'
That's a wonderful goal, Sophie! Enhancing your written communication with precise collocations like 'set up a business' and 'run a business' will definitely elevate the professionalism of your reports. These small improvements make a big difference in how your message is received. Keep honing those skills!
This explanation about countable vs. uncountable 'business' is exactly what I needed. I used to say 'a business' when I meant 'commerce in general,' which was awkward. Thank you!
You've identified a very common point of confusion, Jian! Understanding when 'business' is countable (a specific company) versus uncountable (the general concept of trade) is indeed crucial for accurate usage. Your awareness of these nuances shows you're developing a strong command of English!
As a beginner, this is challenging but super clear. I'm going to make flashcards with these! 'Set up a business' and 'do business' are going on the first card.
That's a fantastic approach, Maria! Flashcards are an excellent tool for memorizing collocations. By learning them as complete units, you'll internalize the natural pairings much faster. Keep that enthusiasm, and you'll see great progress!
Could you provide some common collocations for 'business' when it refers to the *abstract concept* of trade, rather than a specific company? The article mentioned it, but I'd love more examples.
Great point, Carlos! When 'business' is uncountable and refers to the abstract concept, we often use collocations like 'do business' (as in, 'we do a lot of business with China'), 'talk business' (discussing work-related matters), 'mean business' (to be serious and determined), or 'get down to business' (start dealing with serious matters). These highlight the activity or concept itself, rather than a particular company.
Thank you for addressing 'Language Anxiety'! It's a major barrier for me. I always feel I need to translate everything from Russian, and it slows me down. 'Using ready-made chunks' is a brilliant way to think about it.
We understand completely, Anna. The pressure to translate word-for-word can be incredibly stressful and hinders fluency. By learning and practicing these natural 'chunks,' you'll find yourself speaking more spontaneously and confidently, without the constant mental acrobatics of translation. You're on the right track!
Super useful! I often see 'business owner' or 'business partner.' Are these also considered collocations, even though 'business' acts more like an adjective there?
Excellent observation, Patrick! Yes, phrases like 'business owner' and 'business partner' are absolutely collocations. While 'business' functions as an attributive noun (modifying another noun), it still forms a strong, natural pairing that native speakers recognize instantly. Mastering these noun-noun combinations is just as important for sounding fluent!
This article explains why my English teacher always corrected me when I used 'make a business'! I thought it was just a regional thing, but now I understand it's a fundamental collocation error. More articles like this, please!
We're happy we could clarify that, Nadia! Your teacher was guiding you toward standard English usage. It's often not about right or wrong in a judgmental sense, but about sounding natural and being universally understood by native speakers. We'll certainly keep producing content that addresses these common areas of confusion!
I'm a native English speaker, and I even found this interesting! It's a great breakdown of why certain phrases 'sound right.' I'll definitely recommend this to my international colleagues.
Thank you for the kind words and the recommendation, David! It's always great to hear that our content resonates with both learners and native speakers. Understanding the underlying structures of natural language benefits everyone. We appreciate your support!
I appreciate the focus on reducing 'Language Anxiety.' It's a real struggle when you're trying to communicate complex ideas. This article gives actionable advice. Thank you!
You've articulated a common challenge, Sofia! Our goal at Translateen.com is to provide practical tools that empower learners and build confidence. Knowing natural language chunks genuinely reduces the cognitive load of speaking, allowing you to focus more on your message. Keep that motivation high!