extraneous business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extraneous business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to unnecessary or irrelevant matters in a discussion or context. Example: "During the meeting, we should focus on the main agenda and avoid any extraneous business that could waste our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For Unilever, the tablets are one outcome of more than a decade of whittling away extraneous business ventures.

The New York Times

Bright and breezy baritone David Stout would have been better unencumbered by extraneous business and, ironically, he is outclassed by Mark Stone's Count Almaviva.

The Guardian - Music

By taking care of all the extraneous business that comes with running a popular restaurant — the kooky waiters, the angry proctologists, the celebrities, the press — Friedman spares Bloomfield distraction and inoculates her against restaurant-world bitchery.

The New Yorker

But there's no clutter, no extraneous business, and the choreographing of the chorus is wonderfully precise – the moment when they all turn as a single body to look at their newly crowned tsar, particularly, is startlingly effective.

The Guardian - Music

It also fits with Chief Executive Brian Moynihan's efforts to sell off extraneous business units.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

O'Neill took the opposite tack: he shed all the extraneous businesses and made nothing but aluminum.

The New York Times - Magazine

Citigroup is working to whittle down extraneous businesses that do not conform with its global operations, where its securities and lending operations dwarf those of many of its United States rivals.

The New York Times

For example, numerous studies have theorized that one of the reasons why divestitures might be positively associated with divesting firm performance is that these deals improve the focus of managerial attention within those companies, by removing extraneous businesses that are dissipating that attention in the first place (e.g., Markides 1992, 1995; Daley et al. 1997).

Journal of Organization Design

The deal not only lumbered Rio with $38.7 billion in debt, forcing it into a recent rights issue and joint venture with BHP Billiton, but also left it struggling to find a buyer for the packaging division that was extraneous to its business.

Forbes

One answer might be for conservatories to hire time-and-motion experts, professionals who could point out that the flailing arm, the bulging eye and the balletic upper torso are extraneous work in a business best devoted to doing the most with the least.

The New York Times - Arts

By contrast, the Trump boycotts, from both the left and the right, have been driven by issues extraneous to the targets' core business practices.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic business decisions, clearly differentiate between core activities and "extraneous business" to highlight areas for potential streamlining or divestment.

Common error

Avoid using overly complex language when referring to "extraneous business". Simpler terms like 'non-core activities' or 'secondary operations' can improve clarity and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extraneous business" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "extraneous" modifies the noun "business". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. It identifies activities or operations that are not essential or directly related to the primary function of an entity, often in a corporate context.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "extraneous business" refers to non-essential activities within a business context. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct but not frequently used, classifying as 'Rare' in frequency. Predominantly found in News & Media, it helps distinguish between core and non-core operations, often suggesting areas for potential streamlining. When writing about business strategy, be mindful to use simpler terms to enhance clarity. Consider alternatives like "non-core business" or "peripheral activities" for broader comprehension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrelated commercial activities

Specifies that these activities have no connection to the central business.

irrelevant operations

Highlights the lack of relevance to the core activities.

secondary enterprises

Implies a lower level of importance or priority.

unnecessary affairs

Focuses on the lack of necessity in the context of dealings.

non-essential undertakings

Emphasizes the expendable nature of the activities.

peripheral matters

Indicates that these are on the edge of the main focus.

ancillary operations

Suggests supportive but not crucial functions.

incidental activities

Stresses that these activities are secondary and occasional.

redundant tasks

Focuses on the repetitive and therefore unnecessary nature of the work.

superfluous transactions

Highlights the excessive and unneeded nature of the deals.

FAQs

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

You can use "extraneous business" to refer to aspects of a company's operations that are not essential to its core function. For example, "The company decided to sell off its "non-core assets", including its "extraneous business" units".

What are some alternatives to "extraneous business"?

Alternatives include "non-core business", "peripheral activities", or "secondary operations". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "extraneous" mean in the context of business?

In the context of business, "extraneous" means not essential or relevant. It refers to aspects of the business that are not central to its primary purpose or operations.

Is it better to focus on core competencies and eliminate "extraneous business" activities?

Focusing on core competencies often leads to greater efficiency and profitability. Eliminating or outsourcing "extraneous business" activities can free up resources and allow a company to concentrate on its strengths.