at business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at business" is not correct or commonly used in written English.
It is possible that it may be used in spoken language, but it is not considered grammatically correct or formal in written language. A better alternative would be to use "conducting business" or "in business." Example: The CEO was often seen at business meetings discussing company strategies with his team.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At business meals the inviter generally pays.

The Economist

All three are targeted at business travellers.

The Economist

There's a vacancy at business.

The Guardian

Eric Knorr looks at business computing in 2040.

The New York Times

Court at business seat of the defendant.

Columbia University

At business school everything is theory.

The Guardian

Arrested at business address in east London.

The Guardian

Who are the teachers at business schools?

Harvard Business Review

But he was terrible at business.

The Washington Post

The meltdown confirmed "that we were no good at business".

Independent

(H.P.'s Slate tablet, aimed at business customers, uses Windows).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Whenever possible, replace "at business" with more grammatically sound alternatives like "in business" or "conducting business" for improved clarity and professionalism. This is especially important in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "at" generically when referring to business contexts. While common in casual speech, relying on "at business" in formal writing or presentations can detract from your credibility. Use a more specific preposition or verb phrase instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at business" functions as a prepositional phrase, often aiming to modify a verb or noun by indicating location, state, or activity related to business. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically questionable and less precise than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "at business" appears frequently in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. This discrepancy highlights the difference between common usage and grammatical correctness. While you might encounter "at business" in casual contexts, opting for alternatives like "in business", "doing business", or "conducting business" will enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. It's important to consider the context and audience when choosing the most appropriate phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in business

Replaces "at" with "in", providing a more standard and grammatically sound prepositional phrase.

doing business

Uses a gerund phrase to describe the act of conducting business activities.

conducting business

Emphasizes the formal act of carrying out business operations.

regarding business

Indicates a topic or subject that pertains to business matters.

concerning business

Similar to "regarding business", but can imply a sense of worry or relevance.

within the business

Indicates something contained or happening inside a business entity.

for business purposes

Clarifies that something is intended or used specifically for business-related activities.

on business matters

Focuses on the topics or affairs related to business.

in the realm of business

Implies a broader context, referring to the overall sphere of business activities.

engaged in business

Describes someone who is actively involved in business activities or operations.

FAQs

Is "at business" grammatically correct?

While sometimes used in informal speech, "at business" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in formal written English. It's better to use phrases like "in business" or "conducting business".

What are some alternatives to "at business"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "in business", "doing business", or "regarding business".

How can I avoid using "at business" in my writing?

Review your sentences to see if you can replace "at business" with a more precise phrase. For example, instead of "He's good at business", try "He excels in business" or "He's skilled at "managing a business"".

When is it acceptable to use "at business"?

Although generally discouraged in formal writing, "at business" might be acceptable in very informal conversational settings. However, even then, using a clearer alternative will improve communication.