both businesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "both businesses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to two distinct companies or enterprises in a comparative or collective context. Example: "Both businesses have shown significant growth over the past year, contributing to the local economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both businesses go bust.

The New York Times

Both businesses grew substantially.

The New York Times

Both businesses are very robust".

The Guardian - Business

"It will enhance both businesses.

The Guardian - Business

It [the takeover] will enhance both businesses.

Independent

Both businesses were paid last week.

The New York Times

The stakes are enormous for both businesses.

The New York Times - Tech

Albemarle acquired both businesses in 2001 [ADPO, May 2001].

Additives for Polymers

Both businesses have been hurt in recent months.

The New York Times

Both businesses are working on the O.C. project.

The New York Times

She is chief executive and partner at both businesses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "both businesses" when you want to emphasize the collective impact, comparison, or interaction between two specific commercial entities.

Common error

Avoid using "both businesses" when the context already clearly indicates that you are referring to two specific companies. For instance, instead of saying "The merger will benefit both businesses involved," you could simply say "The merger will benefit both involved" or "The merger will benefit the involved companies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "both businesses" typically functions as a subject or object in a sentence. As supported by Ludwig, it refers to two distinct commercial entities being considered together. For instance, "Both businesses are profitable" demonstrates its use as a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "both businesses" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to refer to two distinct commercial entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it commonly appears in news articles, business reports, and professional contexts. When writing, remember that "both businesses" is used to collectively reference two companies and often highlights their interaction or shared situation. Alternatives such as "the two companies" or "both firms" can be used depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. Be mindful of avoiding redundancy by ensuring the context doesn't already imply the reference to two specific businesses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the two companies

Focuses on the entities as separate organizations, less emphasis on joint consideration.

the two firms

A more formal alternative, suitable for professional or business contexts.

both enterprises

Similar to "businesses" but may imply a more ambitious or innovative endeavor.

both organizations

Broader term encompassing various types of entities, not exclusively commercial.

the pair of companies

Emphasizes the distinctness of the two entities as a pair.

both ventures

Suggests a project or undertaking that involves risk and potential reward.

both operations

Refers to the activities and processes carried out by the businesses.

the two entities

A more formal and abstract way to refer to the businesses.

both parties

Highlights the involvement of two distinct sides in a transaction or agreement.

the merging companies

Implies the act of combining or uniting into one entity.

FAQs

How can I use "both businesses" in a sentence?

You can use "both businesses" to refer to two companies, such as: "Both businesses are experiencing rapid growth" or "The merger will positively impact "both businesses"".

What phrases are similar to "both businesses"?

Alternatives include "the two companies", "both firms", or "both enterprises", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "both business" instead of "both businesses"?

No, "both businesses" is the correct plural form when referring to two separate business entities. "Both business" is grammatically incorrect.

What is the difference between "both businesses" and "the two companies"?

"Both businesses" emphasizes the joint consideration or collective impact of the entities, while ""the two companies"" simply highlights the existence of two separate companies. The choice depends on whether you wish to emphasize their interaction or their individual identities.