Meaning & use
a company
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A business organization that makes money by selling goods or services.
Grammar: Countable: a company, several companies. Can be followed by a singular or plural verb in British English, but usually singular in American English.
Patterns
- work for a company
- start a company
- a company that does something
She works for a software company in Seattle.
They started a small company selling handmade furniture.
The company announced it would hire fifty new staff this year.
noununcountable
The fact of being with other people, or the people you are with.
Grammar: Uncountable in this sense: I enjoy your company. Do not say 'a company' when you mean the pleasure of being with someone.
Patterns
- keep someone company
- enjoy someone's company
- in good company
Thanks for keeping me company while I waited for the train.
He enjoys the company of his old school friends.
I'm not much of a talker, but I do like company.
Word forms
| plural | companies |
|---|
Common combinations
- work for a company
- He works for a company that builds bridges.
- start a company
- They plan to start a company together next year.
- keep someone company
- I'll keep you company while you wait.
- a large company
- She got a job at a large company in the city.
- company policy
- Company policy does not allow personal calls at work.
Synonyms and how they differ
- business
- A general word for any commercial activity or organization; 'company' usually suggests a specific registered firm.
- firm
- Often used for professional partnerships like law or accounting firms; 'company' is broader.
- corporation
- A large formal company, especially in American English; 'company' can be any size.
Word family
- companion noun
- A person who spends time with you.
- companionship noun
- The good feeling of having someone with you.
Commonly confused: a company or campaign?
a company vs campaign
A campaign is a planned series of actions to achieve something (like an election campaign); a company is a business.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'company' correctly?
Choose one answer.
In option 1, 'company' means the pleasant state of being with someone, which is correct. Option 2 uses it as a verb, option 3 is nonsense, and option 4 wrongly defines it as a machine.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “a company”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.