business proper

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "business proper" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely understood.
It can be used to refer to the appropriate or formal aspects of business conduct or operations, but clarity may be lacking without additional context. Example: "In our meeting, we will focus on business proper to ensure all protocols are followed."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

In December 1944, Russian forces arrived to force the Germans out: the Ronay business proper had been destroyed, but Egon made the most enterprising gesture he could by selling cups of coffee from the shell of the largest restaurant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As for his business proper, he runs it with the minimum of overhead — about fifteen employees, and a small suite in a not very new office building on Forty-second Street, off Third Avenue.

The New Yorker

With the greatest respect to Sam Allardyce and the opening of a new England era, most people will be relieved when the first international break of the fledgling season is out of the way and business proper resumes on Saturday with an eagerly anticipated Manchester derby.

The Guardian - Sport

As custom suits are a very particular and old business, Proper Suit still needs to use an old-school approach when it comes to measurement.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

You make a number of real loans to businesses, proper commercial lending.

The Guardian - Opinion

In which case, we should learn from research by O2, which suggests it is possible to reverse those statistics if you give start-up businesses proper support.

Independent

"I expect Ryanair to behave in a rational way, they are a well-run business with proper corporate governance in place," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Giving councils full powers over the business rate proper – currently a national tax – would allow them to vary the levy and prevent businesses going under.

The Guardian

Associates of Robinson say he had become over-confident since Palmer's release and was no longer giving other criminals involved in the timeshare business the proper amount of 'respect'respect

The Guardian - Travel

"It will create a new local energy that will encourage economic growth and protect business with proper local accountability".

BBC

"It takes the very serious and labour-intensive business of proper care and attention of young children before they go to school and while at school to allow them to learn most effectively.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "business proper", ensure the context is clear. It's often better to use more specific terms like "business etiquette" or "professional conduct" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "business proper" when a more precise term would better convey your intended meaning. Overuse can make your writing sound unclear or unnecessarily formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "business proper" functions as a noun phrase, often used to specify or emphasize the formal or appropriate aspects of business operations or conduct. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is not very common, suggesting that more specific alternatives might be clearer.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "business proper" is a relatively uncommon phrase used to denote formal or appropriate aspects of business conduct and operations. While grammatically acceptable, it may lack clarity and is not as widely understood as alternatives like "business etiquette" or "professional conduct". As Ludwig AI suggests, using more specific terms can enhance clarity. The phrase is primarily found in news and media and formal business contexts, indicating a professional but not overly formal register. Its usage should be carefully considered to ensure the intended meaning is effectively communicated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

appropriate business conduct

Focuses on the appropriateness of actions within a business context.

correct business practice

Emphasizes adherence to established and ethical practices.

ethical business dealings

Highlights the moral aspect of business interactions and transactions.

standard business procedure

Refers to the typical or established methods within a business.

formal business operations

Stresses the structured and official nature of business activities.

legitimate business activities

Highlights the lawfulness and authenticity of business operations.

due business process

Focuses on following established and fair procedures in business.

sound business principles

Emphasizes the rationality and prudence of business guidelines.

responsible corporate governance

Highlights accountability and ethical management within a corporate setting.

professional business behavior

Stresses the importance of professionalism in all business-related actions.

FAQs

How can "business proper" be used in a sentence?

You can use "business proper" to refer to the appropriate or formal aspects of business conduct or operations. For example, "In our meeting, we will focus on "business proper" to ensure all protocols are followed."

What's a good alternative to "business proper"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "appropriate business conduct", "correct business practice", or "professional conduct".

Is "business proper" formal or informal?

The phrase "business proper" tends to lean towards a more formal register, but it is not as common or widely recognized as alternatives like "business etiquette" or "professional standards".

When is it best to use "business proper" instead of other similar phrases?

Use "business proper" when you want to emphasize the importance of adhering to established protocols and maintaining a formal approach to business activities. However, ensure that your audience understands the phrase, as it is not universally recognized.