essential businesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "essential businesses" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to businesses that are considered necessary for the functioning of society, especially during emergencies or crises. Example: "During the pandemic, only essential businesses such as grocery stores and pharmacies were allowed to remain open."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Most of the banks addressed climate change by limiting employee travel or energy use in their buildings, but kept it separate from the essential businesses of banking.

The Economist

But like people who ran the grocery stores and doctors' offices and other essential businesses in the era when blacks were not allowed to mix with whites, Mr. Crawford was an essential part of daily life for black Birmingham.

The New York Times

Also essential, businesses must recognise that technological tools, sophisticated models and differentiating data count for little unless the organisation has the enterprise-wide capability and commitment to capitalise on them.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

With millions of people around the country putting off vacations, canceling convention plans and halting all but the most essential business trips, the nation's normally busy travel rhythms have abruptly ground down to virtual slow motion.

The New York Times

It seemed as if essential business practices had been ignored.

The Guardian

"I don't doubt the mayor has essential business to perform.

The New York Times

To borrow a phrase from another era, the essential business of the United States seemed to be business.

The New York Times

And it is becoming more common, as gadgets become smaller and the list of essential business travel tools becomes longer.

The New York Times

According to Gertrude Stein, coordinating "the mixture of seeing and hearing" is the essential business of making theater.

The New York Times

Since then, the jobs data (along with a host of other indicators) have become essential business tools.

The New York Times - Magazine

And, if the point were not quite clear, officials are instructing customers to "use L.I.R.R. for essential business travel only".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "essential businesses", be clear about the context in which they are essential. Provide specific reasons or situations to add clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "essential businesses" as a blanket term without specifying the criteria for what makes them essential in a given context. For example, don't just say "essential businesses are important"; instead, explain why they are essential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "essential businesses" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "essential" modifies the noun "businesses". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct. It typically describes companies or services deemed necessary for societal functioning.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "essential businesses" correctly identifies businesses critical for societal function, especially in crises. Grammatically sound, it's mainly found in news, business, and formal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Alternatives like "critical businesses" or "vital businesses" offer nuanced emphasis. When using the phrase, specify the context to avoid vagueness. Recent events expanded understanding of which sectors qualify. The phrase serves to categorize, inform policy, and highlight the importance of these businesses. Its prevalence suggests its relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

critical businesses

Replaces "essential" with "critical", emphasizing the importance from the perspective of risk management.

vital businesses

Substitutes "essential" with "vital", stressing the aspect of absolute necessity.

indispensable businesses

Emphasizes that these businesses are so important that they can't be done without.

necessary businesses

Replaces "essential" with "necessary", indicating a requirement for function.

crucial businesses

Replaces "essential" with "crucial", stressing the importance from the perspective of success.

key businesses

Businesses that are the most important or have the most influence.

core businesses

Businesses that make up the most important part of a larger business or economic activity.

fundamental businesses

Replaces "essential" to denote businesses serving basic societal needs.

important businesses

A more general term indicating the significance of these businesses.

strategic businesses

Suggests that these businesses are important for achieving certain goals or strategies.

FAQs

What defines a business as "essential"?

An "essential business" is one considered necessary for maintaining societal functions, especially during crises. This often includes sectors like healthcare, food supply, and utilities.

When is it appropriate to use the term "essential businesses"?

Use "essential businesses" when discussing companies or services that must continue operating during emergencies, such as pandemics or natural disasters, to ensure public welfare. For instance, during a pandemic, only "critical businesses" like grocery stores and pharmacies were allowed to remain open.

What are some alternatives to "essential businesses"?

Alternatives include "critical businesses", "vital businesses", or "indispensable businesses", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How has the perception of "essential businesses" changed in recent years?

Recent events have highlighted the importance of often-overlooked sectors, leading to a broader understanding of what constitutes an "essential business", often including logistics, sanitation, and communications.