core business

USAGE SUMMARY

"core business" is a perfectly acceptable term in written English and can be used in a variety of contexts.
For example, "The core business of this company is manufacturing automotive parts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That's our core business".

The New York Times

"It's to protect our core business".

The New York Times

"The core business is slowing significantly".

The New York Times

"That just isn't our core business".

The New York Times

Companies could concentrate on their core business.

The Economist

"The core business is an afterthought".

The New York Times - Tech

YOUR core business is running hotels.

The Economist

They have a highly distinctive core business.

The Economist

It's just not our core business anymore".

The New York Times

"It is not our core business.

The Guardian

Mittal made it his company's core business".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic pivots, clearly define how the new direction complements or replaces the "core business" to maintain stakeholder confidence.

Common error

Don't narrowly define "core business". A service that indirectly supports your main product can still be vital to overall success. Ensure all contributing elements are valued.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core business" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the central or most important activity of an organization, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "core business" is a commonly used noun phrase that defines the central activity of an organization. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. When using the phrase, consider its professional register and ensure it accurately reflects the primary function of the entity in question. Alternatives include "primary activity" or "main line of work". Remember to clearly define how shifts in strategy affect the "core business" to maintain stakeholder understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary activity

Focuses on the main actions carried out by a company.

main line of work

Highlights the principal occupation or employment of an entity.

principal operation

Emphasizes the chief operational activities.

fundamental function

Underlines the basic and necessary duties of a business.

central operation

Indicates operations at the heart of the business.

chief business

Highlights that the alternative business is of primary importance.

essential function

Highlights that the alternative function is indispensable.

key activity

Highlights that the alternative activity is of primary importance.

main business

Stresses the primary aspect of an enterprise.

focus area

Describes an area where effort and resources are concentrated.

FAQs

How to use "core business" in a sentence?

You can use "core business" to describe the primary activity of a company. For example, "Our "core business" is providing software solutions to small businesses."

What can I say instead of "core business"?

You can use alternatives like "primary activity", "main line of work", or "principal operation depending on the context."

Which is correct, "core business" or "core businesses"?

"Core business" is typically used in the singular to refer to the primary activity of a company as a whole. "Core businesses" can be used if referring to multiple distinct primary activities or business units.

What's the difference between "core business" and "side project"?

"Core business" refers to the primary revenue-generating activity, while "side project" is a secondary or experimental activity that may or may not contribute to the main business.