commercial

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "commercial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to items, activities, or advertisements related to business and commerce. For example, "The company aired a new commercial on television to promote their product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"My successor will inherit a business with very strong commercial foundations in place.

The Guardian

Together, they have positioned the Guardian to build on its worldwide audience and to capitalise on its new commercial and digital opportunities".

The Guardian

The peer later denied that he had commercial interests in any domestic energy firms or in the big six energy companies.

The Guardian - Money

Japan's claim to commercial whaling as a cultural expression is surely a shaky one, since it only began large-scale whaling in the 20th century – but it was taught to them by European whalers.

The Guardian - Opinion

BBC management had "verbal discussions" with BBC Worldwide, agreeing to meet the cost of her departure from the licence fee if she left the commercial division within two years.

The Guardian

One example is the Advanced Market Commitment tool, where donors pledge to purchase developing country disease-focused vaccines or medicines, giving companies a commercial buyer and thus a reason to risk their R&D investment and product development.

The Guardian

The Greek economic crisis has inevitably affected the country's commercial art market.

The Guardian

So many grouse-guzzling hen harriers thriving in the area meant the grouse population was reduced too far to sustain a commercial shoot.

The Guardian

Advertising For information about advertising, sponsorship or commercial opportunities with Guardian Australia visit our advertising pages.

The Guardian

In the commercial domain it will mainly provide opportunities for business transactions, but for the BBC it's a whole other resource.

The Guardian

A babysitter took her, aged four, to an audition for a commercial.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "commercial", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to business activities, advertisements, or a specific grade/quality of a product. For instance, differentiate between "commercial real estate" and a "commercial break".

Common error

Avoid using "commercial" as a blanket term for anything related to business. Be specific about what aspect of business you're discussing. For example, instead of saying "the project has commercial potential", specify "the project has potential for commercial success in the overseas market".

Linguistic Context

The word "commercial" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to indicate a relationship to commerce, business, or trade. Ludwig AI shows usage in phrases like "commercial foundations", "commercial art market", and "commercial whaling".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "commercial" is a versatile adjective primarily used to denote a connection to business, trade, or advertising. Ludwig AI indicates it’s grammatically correct and very common, frequently appearing in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "commercial", clarity is key: ensure the context makes clear whether you are talking about business activities, advertisements, or the quality of a product. Alternatives like "business-related" or "for profit" can offer more specific meanings depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for profit

Focuses on the intention to generate profit as a primary goal.

business-related

Directly emphasizes the connection to business activities.

revenue-generating

Highlights the aspect of producing income or revenue.

market-oriented

Emphasizes the focus on market demands and conditions.

trade-related

Relates specifically to activities involving trade and exchange.

mercantile

A more formal term referring to trade or commerce.

industrial

Connects to the realm of industry and manufacturing.

financial

Relates to monetary matters and financial transactions.

economic

Refers to the broader system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

promotional

Focuses on activities related to advertising and promotion.

FAQs

How can I use "commercial" in a sentence?

You can use "commercial" to describe something related to business or trade, like "commercial property" or "commercial enterprise". It can also refer to an advertisement, as in "a television commercial".

What is a "commercial agreement"?

A "commercial agreement" is a legally binding contract between two or more parties for business purposes. These agreements outline the terms, conditions, and obligations of each party involved in a commercial transaction.

What can I say instead of "commercial"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "business-related", "for profit", or "revenue-generating".

What is the difference between "commercial" and "industrial"?

"Commercial" refers broadly to activities related to buying and selling goods or services. "Industrial" specifically relates to the production of goods, often on a large scale, typically involving manufacturing or factories.