primary business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "primary business" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important activity or operation of a company or organization. Example: "Our primary business is providing software solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our primary business is advertising".

The New York Times - Tech

Their primary business is not motor sport; their primary business is making series production cars.

The New York Times - Sports

He explained: "Today the accountant is the primary business consultant.

The New York Times

His primary business, however, was trade with Nubia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Global pharmaceutical companies face an increasingly harsh environment for their primary business of selling medicines.

Drug Discovery Today

Getty Images' primary business is selling to advertisers and commercial publishers.

The New York Times

"The advantage for somebody like a Combe is that this is their primary business," she said.

The New York Times

The surviving company would have three primary business lines: pipelines, energy exploration and production.

The New York Times

Until 2000, his primary business was Box USA, which he and his brother Chris founded.

The New York Times

First Data, whose primary business is processing credit card transactions, employs 31,000 people worldwide.

The New York Times

Intel said it would not appoint a new general manager for its primary business.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's strategic direction, clearly defining its "primary business" helps stakeholders understand its core focus and priorities. This clarity is crucial for effective decision-making and resource allocation.

Common error

Avoid using "primary business" interchangeably with "side project" or "secondary activity". While related, these terms describe activities of significantly different importance to the organization's overall strategy and revenue generation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary business" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI examples show, it identifies the central economic activity of an entity, be it a company, individual, or even a region.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primary business" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the core activity of an organization or individual. As Ludwig AI identifies, it appears most frequently in news and business contexts. While alternatives like "core business" or "main business activity" exist, "primary business" provides a clear and concise way to communicate a company's central focus, aiding in strategic understanding and decision-making. It is crucial to differentiate this from secondary activities or side projects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core business

Replaces "primary" with "core", emphasizing the central and most essential aspect of the business.

main business activity

Replaces "primary" with "main" and adds "activity" for greater clarity.

principal activity

Uses "principal" instead of "primary", indicating the foremost activity.

chief business

Substitutes "primary" with "chief", highlighting the leading or most important business aspect.

central business operation

Expands the phrase to include "operation", clarifying that it refers to the main working processes.

fundamental business

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the business with the word "fundamental".

primary revenue stream

Focuses specifically on the income-generating aspect of the business.

major line of business

Highlights the significance of the business area using "major line".

predominant commercial pursuit

Replaces "business" with a more formal "commercial pursuit", emphasizing the act of seeking or striving after something.

leading commercial endeavor

Expresses the concept with more formal vocabulary and highlights a sense of enterprise.

FAQs

What does "primary business" mean?

The term "primary business" refers to the main or most important activity that a company or organization engages in to generate revenue and achieve its strategic goals. It's the core focus that drives the business's operations and identity.

What are some alternatives to "primary business"?

Alternatives include "core business", "main business activity", or "principal activity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

How do I use "primary business" in a sentence?

You can use "primary business" in a sentence like this: "Our "primary business" is developing sustainable energy solutions."

What's the difference between "primary business" and "business model"?

"Primary business" refers to the activity a company focuses on, while "business model" describes how the company plans to make money from that activity. For example, a company's "primary business" might be software development, and its business model might be subscription-based licensing.