Meaning & use
contractors
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“contractors” is a form of “contractor”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
People or companies that are paid to do work for others, especially in building or trades.
Grammar: Plural countable noun; the singular is 'contractor'. Use it with plural verbs: contractors are hired.
Patterns
- contractors for a company
- hire contractors
- independent contractors
The school hired contractors to repair the roof over the summer.
Several contractors are working on the new bridge at the same time.
Many delivery drivers work as independent contractors rather than employees.
nounpluralbusiness
Companies or individuals that sign a formal agreement to supply goods or services.
Grammar: Plural countable noun used in business and legal contexts; usually followed by 'for' or 'to'.
Patterns
- contractors to the government
- a list of approved contractors
- contractors supplying something
The hospital uses only approved contractors for its cleaning services.
Defense contractors supply equipment to the army.
Both contractors agreed to finish the project by March.
Word forms
| singular | contractor |
|---|
Common combinations
- independent contractors
- The company hires independent contractors instead of full-time staff.
- building contractors
- Building contractors must follow strict safety rules.
- hire contractors
- We had to hire contractors to fix the plumbing.
- contractors for a project
- They brought in contractors for the renovation project.
- approved contractors
- Only approved contractors can enter the site.
Synonyms and how they differ
- builders
- More specific: builders do construction work, while contractors may do many kinds of jobs and often manage others.
- subcontractors
- These are contractors hired by another contractor, not directly by the main client.
- suppliers
- Suppliers mainly provide goods, whereas contractors usually provide work or services.
Opposites
Word family
- contract noun
- A formal written agreement between two parties.
- contract verb
- To make a formal agreement to do work.
- contractual adjective
- Relating to a contract or its conditions.
- contracting noun
- The business of doing work under contracts.
Commonly confused: contractors or contracts?
contractors vs contracts
'Contracts' are the agreements themselves; 'contractors' are the people or firms that sign them.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'contractors' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Contractors' is plural, so it takes a plural verb and follows words like 'hire'. Option 0 uses a singular verb, and options 2 and 3 mix the singular and plural forms wrongly.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “contractors”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.