take business

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take business" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express engaging in business activities or transactions, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "We need to take business seriously if we want to succeed in this competitive market."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or take business negotiations.

The New Yorker

"They take business from elsewhere".

The Guardian - Books

Often, however, fast trains just take business from slow ones.

The Economist

New firms take business away from established ones.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Wolf has said you shouldn't take business home.

The New York Times

The problem with counterfeiters is that they take business away from actual brands.

The New York Times

The lesson: take business or first class if you can afford it.

The New York Times

Local trucking and equipment outfits are preparing to take business elsewhere.

The New York Times

Start-up companies could take business away from established traditional manufacturers.

The Economist

Borrowing costs may rise, which could prompt non-American companies to take business elsewhere.

The Economist

The other wholesalers hate the idea because it would take business away from them.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to conducting business activities, use stronger verbs like "conduct", "engage in", or "manage" for clarity. For example, instead of saying "We need to "take business" seriously", say "We need to conduct business seriously."

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "take business" when you mean to describe specific actions within a business context. Be specific about the activity. Are you trying to attract clients, manage operations, or secure deals? Using precise language improves clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take business" functions as a general expression for engaging in or acquiring business activities. However, according to Ludwig AI, it lacks clarity and does not convey a clear meaning in standard written English. To improve clarity, it's best to specify the actions or outcomes related to business.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

9%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "take business" appears frequently in various contexts, it is considered grammatically questionable and lacks clarity according to Ludwig AI. It functions as a general expression for engaging in business activities, but its communicative purpose varies depending on the specific context. To improve clarity, consider using more precise verbs such as "conduct", "engage in", "attract", or "secure". Given its prevalence in news, academic, and business sources, substituting this phrase with stronger verbs is a best practice. Thus, while commonly used, replacing "take business" with more specific alternatives enhances the precision and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conduct business

Replaces "take" with a more standard verb, focusing on the act of engaging in business operations.

engage in commerce

Substitutes "business" with "commerce" and "take" with "engage in", emphasizing broader commercial activities.

attract customers

Focuses on drawing clientele, shifting the emphasis from general activity to customer acquisition.

capture market share

Concentrates on gaining a portion of the market, ideal for discussions about competition.

draw clientele

Highlights attracting customers to your business, focusing on the appeal and attraction aspects.

gain market presence

Emphasizes establishing a notable position in the market, focusing on visibility and recognition.

secure deals

Highlights the outcome of successful business interactions, focusing on finalized agreements.

win contracts

Emphasizes gaining formal agreements, particularly in competitive bidding scenarios.

outcompete rivals

This conveys the idea of excelling and surpassing competitors in the business landscape.

steal customers

This conveys a more aggressive competition strategy, focusing on directly taking clients from competitors.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "take business" that provide more clarity?

Instead of "take business", consider using phrases like "conduct business", "engage in commerce", or "manage operations" for better clarity and precision.

How can I rewrite sentences using "take business" to be more grammatically sound?

Replace "take business" with more descriptive verbs. For instance, instead of saying "They take business from elsewhere", say "They "attract customers" from elsewhere" or "They "secure deals" from elsewhere".

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

While "take business" is commonly used, it is generally better to use more precise language. Consider the context and choose a verb that specifically describes the action you are referring to, such as "win contracts", "capture market share", or "draw clientele".

What does it mean to "take business away" from competitors?

To "take business away" from competitors means to "outcompete rivals" and gain a larger portion of the market by offering better products, services, or prices, thereby attracting customers who would otherwise patronize the competition.