a common business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a common business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a type of business that is frequently encountered or widely practiced in a particular context or industry. Example: "In today's economy, a common business model is the subscription service, which has gained popularity across various sectors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Reorganizations, or reorgs, are a common business practice.

Harvard Business Review

Post-mortems, trying to figure out why a new idea failed, are a common business process.

The New York Times

Yet bundling is a common business practice that can be entirely legitimate.

The Economist

It's a common business quandary, but Google and Charles Schwab both found a way around it.

Harvard Business Review

This paper proposes three-layer architecture to enact a common Business Process by means of Web Services.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

This is then multiplied by a common business rate to find the sum a business must pay.

The Guardian

In May 2009 the CBI published a report looking at a common business approach on GHG reporting.

The Guardian

In a common business arrangement here, a Chinese company built the aquarium, with a Western partner providing technical expertise.

The New York Times

But Mr. Davis said it was a common business practice for large organizations to buy properties without revealing their identities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

At a time when new programming languages were proliferating at an ever increasing rate, the same survey suggested that if a common business-oriented language were used, conversion would be far cheaper and faster.

Wikipedia

Profitability of the business is a common concern of veterinarians running private practices of all types [ 42, 43].

BMC Veterinary Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a common business", ensure that the context clearly indicates what makes the business 'common'. Provide specific examples or characteristics to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a common business" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying, "This is a common business", specify what makes it common, such as "This is a common business model in the tech industry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a common business" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a type of business that is frequently encountered or widely practiced, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The analysis reveals that "a common business" is a frequently used phrase to describe a typical or standard business model or practice. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is found most often in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, clarity is key: specify what makes the business 'common' to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "a typical business" or "a standard business" can be used to fine-tune the intended meaning. Given its neutral register, the phrase is suitable for various communication settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a typical business

Replaces "common" with "typical", suggesting a business that is representative of a certain type or category.

a standard business

Uses "standard" instead of "common", implying that the business follows established norms or practices.

a usual business

Substitutes "common" with "usual", indicating that the business is customary or frequently encountered.

a frequent business

Replaces "common" with "frequent", highlighting how often a business of this type is seen.

a general business

Uses "general" instead of "common", referring to a non-specialized or widely applicable business.

a widespread business

Substitutes "common" with "widespread", emphasizing the extensive prevalence of the business.

a prevalent business

Replaces "common" with "prevalent", suggesting that the business is widely existing or occurring.

a regular business

Uses "regular" instead of "common", indicating a business that is conducted according to a fixed principle or procedure.

a garden-variety business

Replaces "common" with "garden-variety", implying that a business is ordinary and unremarkable.

a conventional business

Uses "conventional" instead of "common", referring to a business following traditional methods and standards.

FAQs

How can I use "a common business" in a sentence?

You can use "a common business" to describe a frequently encountered type of business, for example: "Franchising is "a common business" model for restaurants."

What are some alternatives to "a common business"?

Alternatives include "a typical business", "a standard business", or "a usual business", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a common business" or "a popular business"?

While both can be correct, ""a common business"" emphasizes frequency or typicality, whereas "a popular business" highlights widespread approval or customer base. Choose the phrase that best fits your intended meaning.

What does it mean when someone describes an activity as "a common business practice"?

It means the activity is a standard or frequently used method within a business or industry. For example, offering discounts is "a common business" practice to attract customers.