a company

USAGE SUMMARY

"a company" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an organization, corporation, or business. For example: "We need to find experienced talent to help our company grow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A company….

The New Yorker

"I started a company".

The New York Times

We're a company town.

The New York Times

This is a company.

The New York Times

And what a company!

The New Yorker

"We weren't a company.

The New York Times - Arts

I'm running a company now.

The New York Times

Jimos Reese, a company commander.

The New York Times

He set up a company.

The Economist

vision as a company grows.

The New Yorker

How to value a company?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a company", ensure it's clear which specific company you're referring to. If it's the first mention, provide the full name; subsequent references can use "the company" or a short form.

Common error

Avoid using singular pronouns (e.g., "it", "its") to refer to "a company" when discussing individuals within the company. For example, instead of saying "A company announced its new policy," consider "The company announced its new policy," or "The company's representatives announced the new policy."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a company" functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. Ludwig confirms it's correct and widely used. For instance, "He started a company" or "I work for a company".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a company" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase referring to a business organization. Ludwig confirms its correctness and broad applicability across contexts. It's essential to ensure clarity by specifying the company name when first introduced. Remember to use correct pronoun references and vary your language with alternatives like ""a business"" or ""an organization"" to enhance your writing. Its widespread use in sources like The New York Times and Forbes highlights its relevance in both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a business

Replaces "company" with the more general term "business".

a firm

Substitutes "company" with "firm", often used in a more formal context.

an organization

Uses a broader term, "organization", to refer to any structured group.

a corporation

Replaces "company" with the more specific term "corporation", implying a legal entity.

a venture

Substitutes "company" with "venture", highlighting the entrepreneurial aspect.

an enterprise

Replaces "company" with "enterprise", focusing on the undertaking or project.

a startup

Uses "startup" instead of "company", implying a newly established business.

an establishment

Replaces "company" with "establishment", referring to a place of business.

a conglomerate

Substitutes "company" with "conglomerate", indicating a large corporation with diverse activities.

a franchise

Uses "franchise" instead of "company", implying a business model.

FAQs

How can I use "a company" in a sentence?

You can use "a company" to refer to a business organization. For instance, "He started "a company" that specializes in software development".

What are some alternatives to using "a company"?

Depending on the context, you could use terms like "a business", "a firm", or "an organization" as alternatives to "a company".

Which is correct, "a company" or "the company"?

"A company" refers to any company in general or introduces a company for the first time. "The company" refers to a specific company that has already been mentioned or is otherwise understood in the context.

What's the difference between "a company" and "an enterprise"?

While both refer to business entities, "a company" is a general term for a business organization. "An enterprise", on the other hand, emphasizes the scale and ambition of the business undertaking. You would use "an enterprise" to evoke a sense of purpose or grand scale business venture.