Meaning & use
a business firm
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Meaning
nouncountable
a company or organization that makes or sells goods or services to make money.
Grammar: Countable: a business firm, several business firms. Often shortened to 'firm' in business contexts.
Patterns
- a business firm that does something
- work for a business firm
She works for a business firm that designs software for hospitals.
The report compares how a business firm in Japan and one in Germany is managed.
A small business firm may find it hard to compete with large international companies.
Word forms
| plural | business firms |
|---|
Common combinations
- a large business firm
- A large business firm often has offices in many countries.
- a small business firm
- A small business firm can respond quickly to customer needs.
- run a business firm
- He learned how to run a business firm from his father.
- a business firm's profits
- A business firm's profits depend on good management.
Synonyms and how they differ
- company
- Company is the general everyday word; business firm is more formal and common in economics.
- corporation
- A corporation is a large, formally registered company; a business firm can be any size.
- enterprise
- Enterprise often suggests a new or risky business project; firm is neutral and general.
Word family
Practice
In economics, what does 'a business firm' mean?
Choose one answer.
A business firm is a company that produces or sells goods or services for money. A charity or government department is not usually called a business firm.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a business firm”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.