is business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are defining or discussing the nature of business or its importance. Example: "In today's economy, the question of what is business has become increasingly complex."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Q How is business?

The New York Times

How is business?

The New York Times

Ending debate is business.

The New Yorker

But business is business.

The New York Times

Now everything is business".

The New York Times

That is business.

The New York Times

It is business.

Independent

So how is business?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"Pitsiorlas is business-friendly.

The Guardian

This is business-speak.

The Guardian

WUC is business-oriented.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "is business", ensure that the context clearly defines what aspect of business you are referring to, such as a specific transaction, the overall industry, or a particular approach to commerce.

Common error

Avoid using "is business" as a vague justification for unethical behavior. Instead, clarify that ethical considerations should always be a priority, even when making tough decisions. For example, say "While profitability is important, ethical conduct should always be a priority."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is business" primarily functions as a copular verb construction, linking a subject to a predicate nominative, where "business" defines or characterizes the subject. Ludwig AI's examples show its use to equate different concepts, underscore the transactional nature of activities, or highlight the focus on commercial aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is business" is a common expression used to emphasize the transactional and commercially driven nature of interactions and decisions. Ludwig AI identifies the grammatical function as a copular verb construction, primarily linking a subject to its definition or characteristic. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business contexts, conveying a neutral to professional tone. While grammatically correct and widely used, it's important to use the phrase with awareness of its potential to downplay ethical considerations. Alternatives include "constitutes business" or "defines business", depending on the desired nuance. Remember to clearly define the context when employing the phrase to avoid overgeneralizations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constitutes business

Replaces "is" with "constitutes", emphasizing the elements that compose business activity.

defines business

Replaces "is" with "defines", focusing on the characteristics that demarcate business.

represents business

Uses "represents" instead of "is", suggesting a symbolic or indicative relationship.

embodies business

Replaces "is" with "embodies", indicating that something exemplifies the essence of business.

concerns business

Uses "concerns" to indicate relevance or connection to business matters.

involves business

Emphasizes that business is a component or element of a particular situation or activity.

pertains to business

Highlights relevance or connection to business matters.

relates to business

Similar to "pertains to business", focusing on the relationship or connection.

functions as business

Highlights the role or operation of something in a business context.

acts as business

Emphasizes the active role or function of something within a business setting.

FAQs

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

You can use "is business" to emphasize the transactional nature of an interaction, as in, "Football is football, "business is business"". Alternatively, you can use it to define an activity, such as "My sport "is business"".

What does "is business" mean in a professional context?

In a professional context, "is business" often implies that decisions are driven by financial or strategic considerations, sometimes at the expense of personal relationships or other values. It suggests a pragmatic and objective approach to achieving goals.

What are some alternatives to saying "is business"?

Depending on the specific context, you could use alternatives like "that's the nature of commerce", "it's a professional matter", or "it's purely transactional". These phrases offer similar meanings with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "is business"?

The phrase "is business" is appropriate when discussing decisions or actions that are primarily motivated by profit or strategic advantage. However, it's important to use it judiciously, as it can sometimes be perceived as dismissive of ethical or personal considerations.