enterprise

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "enterprise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a noun or an adjective to describe a business, or a person's willingness to take risks or engage in ambitious pursuits. Example: The young entrepreneur demonstrated remarkable enterprise in expanding her business.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Universities effectively use contextual data for many of their decisions in research, enterprise and investment; why not do it for recruiting students?

The Guardian

Now, like so many ideas that were at first highly controversial, people say 'Well that's obvious!'" "May-Britt and Edvard's research lies at the very heart of the cognitive-neuroscience enterprise," Stanislas Dehaene, who studies consciousness at the Collège de France in Paris told Nature.

The Guardian

Milton Keynes health and social care services, a joint venture between the council and the local primary care trust (PCT), is one of 26 social enterprise pathfinder projects across England.

The Guardian

They thought the emphasis on equality was itself a moral problem, hindering enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Handily, they also help explain the egomaniacal narcissism that is having children as well as the absurd love and delight the enterprise engenders.

The Guardian - Sport

However Julia Powles, a law researcher at Cambridge University, said: "The way that the ruling is currently being implemented adds strength to those who take an absolutist position in favour of free speech and free enterprise.

The Guardian - Tech

Without him, the whole enterprise would crumble into the sea.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I'd like to try and work with the [other] crown representatives to work with some of those suppliers to find the most effective ways for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations to be a really important part of their supply chains," he explains.

The Guardian

Europe is accounting for a member economy as if it were a dotcom circa 1997: by covering up all the bad stuff on the books, and then pointing to the rest as evidence of a money-making enterprise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many clinical commissioning groups are already working with their local social enterprise and charity sector on social value priorities in healthcare.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

I have been unsure, from the start, what the Occupy movement was all about, although I did suspect that it was just fatuous, anti-enterprise, left-wingery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "enterprise" to describe the willingness to undertake new or risky projects. To convey a sense of initiative and energy, you may say someone demonstrates "great enterprise".

Common error

Avoid using "enterprise" in very informal conversations or writing, as it can sound overly formal or business-like. Opt for simpler words like "business", "project", or "venture" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The word "enterprise" primarily functions as a noun, referring to a business, company, or undertaking, particularly one that is ambitious or complex. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in diverse contexts ranging from scientific endeavors to commercial ventures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "enterprise" is a versatile noun, commonly used to refer to a business, company, or ambitious project. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and highlights its frequent appearance in news, business, and scientific contexts. When writing, use "enterprise" to emphasize the scope and ambition of an undertaking, but avoid overuse in informal settings. Alternatives such as "venture", "business", or "initiative" may be more appropriate in casual conversations. Understanding these nuances ensures effective and precise communication. It is worth knowing its register tends to be neutral to professional, appearing mostly in business reports, academic papers and strategic communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

business venture

Focuses specifically on the commercial aspect of the undertaking, emphasizing profitability.

commercial undertaking

Highlights the business nature of the effort, often implying a focus on profit generation.

entrepreneurial endeavor

Emphasizes the innovative and risk-taking nature of the project, led by an entrepreneur.

innovative initiative

Stresses the novel and creative aspect of the project, often with a problem-solving focus.

ambitious project

Highlights the scale and aspirational quality of the undertaking, suggesting significant challenges.

corporate entity

Refers specifically to a legally recognized business organization, often a large company.

economic activity

Broadly describes actions related to the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services.

organizational initiative

Focuses on efforts within a structured organization to achieve a specific goal.

spirited effort

Emphasizes the enthusiasm and energy invested in the project.

risky undertaking

Highlights the potential for failure or negative consequences associated with the endeavor.

FAQs

How can I use "enterprise" in a sentence?

You can use "enterprise" to refer to a business or company, as in "The government supports small and medium enterprises." You can also use it to describe a project or undertaking, like "Launching a new product is a significant enterprise."

What are some synonyms for "enterprise"?

Depending on the context, you can use synonyms such as "venture", "undertaking", "business", or "initiative".

Is "enterprise" a formal word?

Yes, "enterprise" is generally considered a formal word. While it can be used in various contexts, it is often found in business, academic, and official settings. In more casual conversations, simpler terms might be preferred.

What's the difference between "enterprise" and "company"?

"Company" is a general term for a business organization. "Enterprise" often implies a more ambitious or large-scale undertaking. You might describe a lemonade stand as a company, but a multinational corporation is more likely to be referred to as an enterprise.