- Are you unsure whether to “make” or “start” a new business?
- Do you know the difference between “keeping someone company” and “working for a company”?
- Have you ever wondered why some people are described as “good company” even if they don’t own a business?
Mastering company collocations is a vital step toward sounding natural in both professional and social environments. Instead of translating word-for-word from your native language, learning these pre-set word combinations helps you speak faster, reduces “Language Anxiety,” and ensures your English sounds modern and professional. In this guide, we will explore how the word “company” functions in various contexts, from the boardroom to a dinner party.
Essential Collocations using COMPANY as a Noun
In modern English, “company” is almost exclusively used as a noun. However, it carries two distinct meanings: a business entity (countable) and the presence of other people (uncountable). Understanding both is key to fluency.
1. Business Operations (Verbs + Company)
These collocations describe the lifecycle of a business, from its birth to its eventual end.
- Start/Found a company: To create a new business.
Example: She saved for ten years to finally start a company in the tech sector. - Run a company: To manage or lead a business.
Example: It takes a lot of stamina to run a company with over 500 employees. - Join a company: To begin working for an organization.
Example: He was thrilled to join a company that values sustainability. - Wind up a company: To close a business down, often due to debt.
Example: The board decided to wind up the company after three consecutive years of losses. - Acquire a company: To buy another business.
Example: The tech giant plans to acquire a smaller company to gain access to their AI patents.
2. Describing the Business (Adjectives + Company)
Use these to specify what kind of business you are talking about.
- Multinational company: A business operating in many countries.
Example: Working for a multinational company often requires frequent travel. - Parent company: A firm that owns or controls other smaller companies.
Example: YouTube’s parent company is Alphabet Inc. - Startup company: A young, innovative company in the early stages of operation.
Example: They left their corporate jobs to launch a startup company in a garage. - Public/Private company: Whether the company is traded on the stock market.
Example: They decided to take the company public to raise more capital.
3. Social Presence (The Uncountable Meaning)
In this context, “company” refers to being with other people.
- Keep someone company: To stay with someone so they are not alone.
Example: I’ll stay and keep you company while you wait for your bus. - Enjoy someone’s company: To like being with a person.
Example: We stayed up until 2 AM just because we enjoyed each other’s company so much. - In the company of: Being together with specific people.
Example: He feels most relaxed when he is in the company of old friends. - Good/Bad company: To be a pleasant (or unpleasant) person to spend time with.
Example: Bring Sarah to the party; she is always great company.
Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Set up a company | Verb + Noun | To establish a new business. |
| Keep company | Verb + Noun | To stay with someone for social reasons. |
| Subsidiary company | Adjective + Noun | A company owned by a larger one. |
| Part company | Verb + Noun | To end a relationship or go separate ways. |
| Limited company | Adjective + Noun | A business where owners have limited liability (Ltd). |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| I want to make a company. | I want to start/found a company. |
| I am working in a company. | I am working for a company. |
| He is a good company. | He is good company. (No ‘a’ for the social meaning) |
| I am with his company. | I am keeping him company. |
“When I first decided to start a company, I knew I couldn’t run the company alone. I reached out to a former colleague who is always excellent company and has a great work ethic. We decided to join forces, and eventually, our small startup company was acquired by a multinational company. Though we had to part company with some of our original staff during the transition, the experience was invaluable.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Company Collocations
Is “company” always a countable noun?
No. When referring to a business (e.g., “I work for three companies”), it is countable. When referring to social presence (e.g., “I enjoy your company”), it is uncountable and does not take an ‘a’ or ‘the’ in many contexts.
What is the difference between a “firm” and a “company”?
While often used interchangeably, “firm” is frequently used for professional service providers like law or accounting practices, whereas “company” is a more general term for any business entity.
Do I say “at a company” or “for a company”?
Both are used, but “work for a company” is more common when emphasizing your employer. “Work at a company” focuses more on the physical or organizational location.
What does it mean to “part company”?
This is a formal collocation meaning to end a relationship, a partnership, or to disagree and go separate ways. It can be used for both business and personal relationships.
What is a “sister company”?
A sister company is one of two or more companies owned by the same parent company. They operate independently but are related through ownership.
This article beautifully illustrates why grammar and vocabulary are not just about individual words, but about how they fit together. 'Good company' is a phrase I'll be using more consciously now!
Can you 'join company' with someone, meaning to associate with them, or is that less common now? I've read it in older books.
I often find myself translating word-for-word from Japanese, which leads to awkward phrases. This article is a great reminder that learning these pre-set combinations is key. It's tough, but I'm trying!
We totally understand, Kenji! It's a very common habit, especially with languages that have different structural rules. The fact that you're actively working on learning collocations shows incredible dedication. Keep practicing, and you'll absolutely see improvement in sounding more natural!
I always say 'I will go with you to keep you company' to my grandmother. It feels good to know that I'm using a correct collocation and understanding why it means what it means now! Thanks!
This is exactly what I needed! I'm trying to improve my business English, and getting these collocations right is essential. The example 'She saved for ten years to finally start a company' really clarifies it.
Fantastic to hear, Julian! We understand how crucial precise language is in professional settings. Mastering collocations like 'start a company' will undoubtedly make your business English sound more authentic and impressive. Keep up the excellent work!
What about phrases like 'company car' or 'company policy'? Do those use 'company' as a noun acting as an adjective for a business entity? Just curious about the grammar there.
I'm a teacher, and I'll definitely be sharing this with my advanced students. The 'countable vs. uncountable' distinction for 'company' is often overlooked, and this article explains it perfectly. Great resource!
We're delighted to hear that, David! Spreading clear, practical explanations is exactly what we aim for. Thank you for your support and for sharing our content with your students. We hope it helps them on their fluency journey!
So, 'found a company' sounds a bit more formal or historical than 'start a company,' right? Like 'founding fathers.' Is there a subtle difference in usage or context?
This is fantastic! As a non-native speaker, the most challenging part is often knowing which verb goes with which noun to sound natural. This article directly addresses that. Could you do one on 'make' vs. 'do' next?
Thank you, Rajesh! We're thrilled you found this helpful. The 'make vs. do' dilemma is indeed another common hurdle, and it's an excellent suggestion for a future article. Stay tuned to Translateen.com for more valuable content!
Does 'take over a company' also fit into the 'business operations' category? I heard it in a news report recently and wasn't sure if it was a standard collocation.