commerce

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'commerce' is correct and usable in written English.
It refers to the exchange of goods and services between businesses and consumers, typically with the intent of making a profit. For example, "The commerce of the town has flourished thanks to the influx of tourists during the summer season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

At the end of April, Heitkamp introduced bipartisan legislation in the Senate to re-write the rule, with the backing of other Democratic senators, including Senator Joe Manchin from West Virginia, which produces around 15% of America's fossil fuel energy, according to the region's department of commerce.

The Guardian

The Obama administration is defending Congress's right to require health insurance under a clause in the constitution that gives the federal government the right to regulate interstate commerce.

The Guardian

Communities perceived as economically marginal will also be culturally marginal, because the cultural gatekeepers largely react to the landscape shaped by commerce.

The Guardian

In March, thousands of people marched to the legislative assembly in San Salvador, to demand that those inside revive stalled negotiations on a long-debated general water law which would, among other things, establish a hierarchy of use and prioritise water for human consumption over that for industry or commerce.

The Guardian

A report by British Educational Research Association (Bera) and Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce shows that countries with the best performing and fastest improving education systems are putting a strong emphasis on university training for teachers.

The Guardian

The governor of the Bank of England has explained the difficulty of currency unions; numerous academics - including Alex Salmond's former adviser - don't think a currency union would be agreed; and the recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce showed business opinion is firmly in favour of keeping the UK and not in favour of a currency union.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Appearing before the House energy and commerce committee on Tuesday, Sebelius said: "I am as frustrated and angry as anyone with the flawed launch of healthcare.gov.gov

The Guardian

In a prepared statement for the House energy and commerce committee, Sebelius, who is facing calls to step down or be fired, acknowledged the experience of healthcare.gov was "frustrating".

The Guardian

When the savings measure was flagged before the budget, the chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Kate Carnell, told Guardian Australia the move was unlikely to achieve savings in the private sector because employers would switch generous parental leave payments to other employee benefits.

The Guardian

Kate Carnell, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, predicted the government would not achieve the $1bn savings booked in the budget because employers had to maintain their contributions to retain the best staff.

The Guardian

As the head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry told Guardian Australia, employers are likely to offer their top-up payments to employees in other ways, so they continue to be additional to the $11,500 available from the government.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international trade, consider using "commerce" to emphasize the scale and impact of the exchange.

Common error

Avoid using "commerce" interchangeably with simpler terms like "trade" or "business" when the context requires emphasizing large-scale economic activities.

Linguistic Context

The word "commerce" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the activity of buying and selling, especially on a large scale. As Ludwig AI points out, it encompasses extended trade or traffic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "commerce" is a grammatically sound noun widely used to describe the exchange of goods and services, particularly on a large scale. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It appears frequently in news and business contexts, signifying broad economic activities. When writing, remember its scope extends beyond simple transactions. Use "commerce" when emphasizing the scale and impact of economic exchange, and consider related terms like "trade" or "business" for alternative phrasing. The word's diverse applications reflect its importance in describing global economic interactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

trade

A more general term referring to the exchange of goods or services.

business

Refers to the activity of providing goods and services involving financial transactions.

industry

Focuses on the production of goods or related services within a specific sector.

market

Emphasizes the environment where buying and selling occur.

economic activity

A broader term encompassing all activities related to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

mercantilism

Highlights governmental regulation of trade to increase national wealth.

financial exchange

Focuses on the monetary aspect of transactions.

dealings

Implies interactions and transactions, often in a business context.

traffic

Emphasizes the movement of goods or services.

exchange of goods

Directly describes the act of trading items.

FAQs

How is "commerce" typically used in a sentence?

"Commerce" is used to describe the exchange of goods or services, especially on a large scale. For example, "The city's "commerce" has thrived due to its port."

What are some alternatives to using the word "commerce"?

Depending on the context, you could use "trade", "business", or "industry" as alternatives to "commerce".

Is there a difference between "commerce" and "e-commerce"?

"Commerce" refers to general trade, while "e-commerce" specifically refers to buying and selling goods and services online.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use the term "commerce"?

The term "commerce" is best used when referring to large-scale economic activities, international trade, or the organized exchange of goods and services.