sole trader

USAGE SUMMARY

"sole trader" is a correct and usable term in written English.
It refers to a business (such as a shop or an online store) that is owned and run by one person. For example, "Janice runs a sole trader business selling handmade clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Are you a sole trader, contractor, partner or company director?

The Guardian - Money

I started out as a sole trader and struggled, hardly making any money the first year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Undeterred, he then set up as a sole trader under the name South East Trading.

The Guardian - Money

He is a sole trader, he can do as he likes.

The Guardian - Sport

They range from sole trader handcraft producers to large scale coffee cooperatives.

The Guardian

Paddick, a former senior officer at Scotland Yard, operates as a sole trader.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's also given an opening to a lot of small businesses that would have been challenged to scale nationally, he says, noting that 30% of all the Snapdeal sellers are sole-trader female entrepreneurs who work from home.

TechCrunch

But businesses run by a single person ('sole trader') will be particularly hard hit.

TechCrunch

Between the domain of the 'sole trader' independent researcher and the global market of knowledge production and transfer lies the domain of the institution.

Health Research Policy and Systems

Consider Sole Trader insolvency.

WikiHow

Select your telephone number category: Residential, Sole Trader, Partnership, Ltd or PLC.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole trader", clearly define the business structure, especially when comparing it to other structures like limited companies or partnerships.

Common error

Avoid using "sole trader" interchangeably with "limited company". A sole trader is directly liable for business debts, while a limited company provides a degree of separation between personal and business finances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole trader" functions as a noun, typically identifying a specific type of business structure where one person owns and operates the business. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sole trader" refers to a business owned and run by one person who is fully liable for the business's debts. Ludwig AI validates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used. Common alternatives include "sole proprietor" and "one-person business". As the analysis shows, "sole trader" appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with neutral formality. It's crucial to distinguish between a "sole trader" and a limited company, as they have different legal and financial implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole proprietor

This term emphasizes the ownership aspect of the business structure.

one-person business

This alternative highlights the single individual operating the business.

self-employed individual

Focuses on the employment status of the person running the business.

single business owner

This option focuses on ownership by a single individual.

freelancer

This term describes someone working independently, often on a project basis.

independent contractor

This stresses the contractual relationship between the individual and their clients.

self-proprietorship

This term offers a more formal and slightly less common alternative.

individual entrepreneur

Emphasizes the entrepreneurial aspect of running a business alone.

unincorporated business

This refers to a business that hasn't been formally registered as a corporation.

small business owner

A broader term that encompasses various forms of small businesses including sole traders.

FAQs

How to use "sole trader" in a sentence?

You can use "sole trader" to describe someone who owns and runs their own business, for example, "She operates as a "sole trader", selling handmade jewelry online".

What are the advantages of being a "sole trader"?

Some advantages of being a "sole trader" include simplicity in setup, direct control over the business, and keeping all the profits. However, you're also personally liable for all business debts.

What's the difference between "sole trader" and "limited company"?

A "sole trader" is directly liable for their business debts, while a limited company is a separate legal entity, offering its owners limited liability.

What can I say instead of "sole trader"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "sole proprietor", "one-person business", or "self-employed individual".