multinational company

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "multinational company" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a business that operates in multiple countries. For example, "Apple is a multinational company with operations in dozens of countries around the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Usually a multinational company has international management".

The New York Times

Almost every multinational company wants a piece of China.

The Guardian

The modern multinational company, he said, had passed through three phases.

The Economist

As a procurement manager at a multinational company, he travels a great deal.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are a large multinational company with lots of exposure," he said.

The New York Times

From now on, every multinational company should have to pay a basic minimum tax.

The New York Times

Sam Palmisano, IBM's boss, foresees nothing less than the redesign of the multinational company.

The Economist

He built the domestic-freight carrier into a strong multinational company and in 1981 purchased it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

France Telecom is making the difficult transition from state monopoly to multinational company.

The Economist

"As a businessman under contract to a multinational company, I need to ship product.

The New York Times

To some experts, Al Qaeda looks like a multinational company, expanding its reach.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "multinational company", be specific about its impact on local economies and cultures. Provide concrete examples to support your claims.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "multinational companies" have the same effect on different countries. The impact varies based on industry, local regulations, and company policies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "multinational company" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a type of business entity. It is used to name organizations that operate across multiple national borders. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe the characteristics, operations, or impact of these entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "multinational company" is a very common and grammatically correct term used to describe businesses operating in multiple countries. As confirmed by Ludwig, its primary function is to identify and categorize these global entities. While synonyms like "global corporation" or "international enterprise" exist, "multinational company" is widely understood and frequently used in news, science, and encyclopedic contexts. When using this term, it's crucial to avoid overgeneralizations about their impact and consider the specific context of their operations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Global corporation

Emphasizes the worldwide reach and corporate structure.

International enterprise

Highlights the global business activities and organizational nature.

Transnational firm

Focuses on operating across national boundaries.

Worldwide business

Underscores the global scope of the commercial activity.

Global conglomerate

Indicates a large corporation composed of several companies operating in different markets globally.

International organization

Broader term referring to any organization operating internationally, not exclusively for-profit.

Overseas corporation

Implies a company operating in countries other than its home country.

Foreign-based company

Highlights the company's origin being in a different nation.

International group

A less formal way to describe a collection of companies operating internationally.

Global player

Informal term describing a significant company in the global market.

FAQs

How to use "multinational company" in a sentence?

You can use "multinational company" to describe a corporation that operates in several countries, such as "Nestlé is a Swiss "multinational company" that sells food and beverages worldwide".

What are some synonyms for "multinational company"?

Alternatives to "multinational company" include "global corporation", "international enterprise", or "transnational firm".

Is it correct to say "international company" instead of "multinational company"?

While "international company" and "multinational company" are often used interchangeably, "multinational company" specifically implies that the company has operations in multiple countries, not just dealings or trade.

What are the key characteristics of a "multinational company"?

Key characteristics of a "multinational company" include having a central headquarters in one country and operating facilities or subsidiaries in multiple other countries, along with a globalized management approach.