doing business

USAGE SUMMARY

"doing business" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in many contexts to refer to all kinds of activities related to business and commerce. For example, "He's been doing business in the city for over a decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was just doing business.

The New York Times

We're still doing business.

The New York Times

It's about doing business.

The Guardian

Are you comfortable doing business with him?

The New York Times - Magazine

"We're just doing business as usual.

The New York Times

It's about doing business in Vermont".

The New York Times

We remain committed to doing business there".

The New York Times

Tells about his way of doing business.

The New Yorker

"We absolutely love doing business there.

Independent

There were several companies doing business here.

The New Yorker

I like doing business with Jews.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international trade, specify the region or country where you are "doing business" to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "doing business" excessively in formal reports. Opt for more precise terms like "conducting commerce" or "managing operations" for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "doing business" functions as a verb phrase, typically used as a gerund or present participle. It describes the activity of engaging in commerce or trade. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various business-related contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "doing business" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression referring to commercial activities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in diverse contexts, spanning from news reports to business discussions. While generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "conducting commerce" may be preferred in certain settings. The phrase’s versatility and widespread use make it an essential element in describing the modern economic landscape. The high frequency of examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes underscores its relevance and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conducting commerce

Focuses on the formal aspect of trade and exchange.

engaging in trade

Highlights the active participation in buying and selling.

operating commercially

Emphasizes the operational aspect of a business.

transacting affairs

Suggests handling business matters or deals.

pursuing ventures

Implies actively seeking and engaging in business opportunities.

managing operations

Focuses on the daily control and administration of a business.

fostering enterprise

Highlights promoting and supporting business activities.

handling transactions

Focuses on the completion of specific deals or exchanges.

running a company

Refers to the act of managing and overseeing a business.

developing markets

Implies expanding and improving business in specific areas.

FAQs

How can I use "doing business" in a sentence?

You can use "doing business" to describe general commercial activity, such as "The company is "doing business" in several countries" or "It's challenging "doing business" during a recession".

What are some alternatives to "doing business"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "conducting commerce", "engaging in trade", or "operating commercially" to express similar ideas.

Is "doing business" formal or informal?

"Doing business" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider more precise alternatives such as "managing operations" or "handling transactions".

What does it mean when someone says "the cost of doing business"?

The phrase "the cost of doing business" refers to the expenses, risks, and challenges that are inherent in operating a business, such as taxes, regulations, and potential losses. It acknowledges that certain negative aspects are unavoidable in "doing business".