business off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "business off" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to a state of business being inactive or closed, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "We need to discuss why our business is off this quarter."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We sold that business off".

The New Yorker

"You're building your business off your sales".

The New York Times

Below are a few tips to get your business off to a good start.

Science Magazine

And in that case it will only make sense to break that business off, conceivably giving Diller the chance to helm a media empire of his own.

Forbes

Start your business off right by setting goals.

WikiHow

McFadden replaces Kearney, whose burst started this whole business off.

The Guardian - Sport

This leaves more for the people who are important to getting the business off the ground.

The New York Times

They don't understand the hard work it takes to get a business off the ground.

The New Yorker

A. They help getting a business off the ground in a new location.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, locating your business off the beaten track has its drawbacks.

The Guardian

Deng runs her business off a tabletop in Anchang, 10 miles south of Beichuan.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "business off", specify if a business has been sold: "The Verizon business was sold off".

Common error

Using the phrase "business off" without further context may lead to confusion. Use alternative phrasing to clearly convey the intended meaning. For example, instead of "the business is off", specify the problem, like "sales are down".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "business off" generally serves as a shorthand way to indicate a downturn or cessation of business activity, or that a part of business has been divested. However, Ludwig AI notes it is not a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

21%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While frequently used, the phrase "business off" is grammatically not correct. As Ludwig AI explains, this makes it potentially confusing and less effective in formal communication. When you mean to indicate that business is slow, specify "business is slow" or "business is down". If you mean that the business was sold, state it explicitly. Always ensure context and clarity in your writing to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business is slow

This suggests a decline or lull in business activity, focusing on the current state of reduced operation.

business is down

This phrase indicates a reduction in business performance, highlighting a decrease in metrics like sales or revenue.

business is closed

This states that a business is not currently operating, pointing to a temporary or permanent cessation of activity.

business is inactive

This describes a state where the business is not actively engaged in operations, suggesting a dormant or paused status.

operations are suspended

This indicates a temporary halt in the business's normal functioning, emphasizing the pause in activities.

activity has ceased

This formally states that business activities have come to an end, implying a complete stop.

business is stagnating

This suggests the business is not growing or progressing, indicating a lack of forward momentum.

business is declining

This indicates a downward trend in business performance, highlighting a continuous decrease.

business is failing

This phrase suggests that the business is not succeeding and is approaching closure, focusing on its unsuccessful state.

business has stalled

This indicates that the business's progress has stopped abruptly, focusing on a sudden halt in its activities.

FAQs

How can I correctly express that a business is not currently operating?

Instead of "business off", which is not grammatically correct, use phrases like "business is slow", "business is down", or "business is closed" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to indicate that a company was divested?

Rather than saying the "business was off", you can say that the "business was "sold off"", the "business was "spun off"", or the "business was "divested"".

Is "business off" grammatically correct?

No, "business off" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests it's not correct. More appropriate phrases include "business is slow" or "business is down".

How can I clarify that a business activity is temporarily paused?

Instead of stating "business off", clarify the reason for the temporary pause by specifying "operations are suspended", or "activity has ceased".