a small enterprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small enterprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a business that is relatively small in size, often in terms of employees or revenue. Example: "The local community is thriving thanks to a small enterprise that has opened its doors, providing jobs and services to residents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Meet Alejandro Zapata, a young social entrepreneur from Colombia who nearly a decade ago founded a small enterprise in Medellin to design and implement innovative strategies for sustainable development.

Huffington Post

That's partly the nature of a small enterprise.

The New York Times

He then worked for a small enterprise software firm.

The Guardian

And when you're running a small enterprise organising the workload among a limited number of staff can be tricky.

The Guardian

Trafalgar Studios is a small enterprise that consistently puts on interesting work, and Freeman's fans (many of them young viewers of Sherlock) are contributing to its upkeep.

Independent

The company recently acquired a small enterprise called Barrus Petroleum, which explores off the coast of Morocco, as well as acreage off Malta and in Somalia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

And I didn't see that nearly as profoundly when I was leading a functional organization or a smaller enterprise.

The New York Times

The most promising source of cellulosic ethanol, say experts, is switchgrass, a native American grass that grows naturally in the prairie heartland and thrives in the poor Mississippi Delta.Biodiesel, as yet, is a smaller enterprise.

The Economist

Is there any difference and similarity between a huge company and a smaller enterprise in perspective of culture and subculture?   3.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

But Foursquare did survive, albeit as a relatively small enterprise; its C.E.O., Jeff Glueck, recently declared that the company would generate a hundred million dollars annually within two years.

The New Yorker

Before 1996, deportation was a comparatively small enterprise, with safeguards that allowed judges to exercise compassion and recognize rehabilitation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the economic impact of "a small enterprise", provide specific details about job creation or community contributions for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a small enterprise" when the context suggests a micro-enterprise or a large company. Ensure the scale aligns with the described activities and resources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small enterprise" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a business entity of limited size. Ludwig shows numerous examples across varied source types that confirm this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a small enterprise" is a noun phrase used to describe a business of limited size, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions to provide information and categorize business entities. Its register is generally neutral to professional. Frequent contexts include News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business sources. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Alternatives include "a small business" and "a small company". When using the phrase, ensure the scale aligns with the context and provide specific details for greater impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small business

This is a direct synonym, focusing on the commercial aspect.

a small company

Similar to "a small business", but emphasizes the organizational structure.

a micro-enterprise

Specifies a very small enterprise, often with minimal employees or capital.

a startup

Implies a new and typically innovative small enterprise.

a small firm

Synonymous and interchangeable with "a small enterprise".

a family business

Highlights the ownership and operation by a family.

a sole proprietorship

Refers to a business owned and run by one person.

a small venture

Emphasizes the risk and potential of a new business.

an entrepreneurial endeavor

Focuses on the innovative and risk-taking nature of the business.

a mom-and-pop shop

Informal term for a small, family-owned business.

FAQs

How can I use "a small enterprise" in a sentence?

You can use "a small enterprise" to describe a business with a limited number of employees and revenue, like "The local economy benefits from "a small enterprise" opening in the neighborhood".

What are some alternatives to "a small enterprise"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a small business", "a small company", or "a startup".

Is there a specific definition for "a small enterprise"?

While definitions vary, "a small enterprise" generally refers to an independently owned and operated business that is not dominant in its field and meets certain criteria regarding number of employees and annual revenue.

What are the challenges faced by "a small enterprise"?

"A small enterprise" often faces challenges such as limited access to capital, intense competition, and the need to manage multiple business functions with a small team.