the firm itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the firm itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the firm as a distinct entity, often in contrast to other parties or aspects related to it. Example: "While many companies outsource their services, the firm itself prides itself on maintaining in-house expertise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bankruptcies may be filed at the request of creditors or of the firm itself and are issued by court.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

The firm itself would not go public.

The New York Times

The firm itself denies any bribery.

The Economist

CSFB's settlement covers only the firm itself, not its employees.

The Economist

The firm itself is at something of a crossroads.

The New York Times

The firm itself is also expecting a hefty fine.

The Guardian - Opinion

That probably depends less on the firm itself than on Italy's established banks.

The Economist

Analysts note that the company's patents could be worth as much as the firm itself.

The New York Times

Wegelin, Switzerland's oldest private bank, closed its doors after the firm itself was indicted.

The Economist

In the second, "commitment companies", the firm itself generated considerable loyalty.

The Economist

The firm itself becomes a dot.com or rather, as Forrester's Mr Colony quips, a "dot.corp".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the firm itself" to specifically emphasize the entity as a whole, particularly when distinguishing its actions or responsibilities from those of its employees or subsidiaries.

Common error

Avoid using "the firm itself" when you actually mean specific individuals within the firm. Be precise: distinguish between the company's official stance and the actions of particular employees.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the firm itself" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the subject or object of a sentence. It emphasizes that the statement applies to the entire entity of the firm, as Ludwig's examples demonstrate.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the firm itself" is a common phrase used to specifically emphasize that an action, characteristic, or responsibility belongs to the entire organization, rather than its individual members. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news and media. The phrase serves to clarify and reinforce accountability at the corporate level. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize the entity as a whole, distinguishing it from its parts. While alternatives like "the company itself" or "the organization itself" exist, "the firm itself" provides a focused emphasis on the corporate entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the company itself

Replaces 'firm' with 'company', a more general term for a business organization.

the organization itself

Substitutes 'firm' with 'organization', suitable for non-profit or institutional contexts.

the business itself

Uses 'business' in place of 'firm', emphasizing the commercial aspect.

the institution itself

Replaces 'firm' with 'institution', appropriate for academic or established entities.

the enterprise itself

Employs 'enterprise', suggesting a more ambitious or large-scale undertaking.

the corporation itself

Utilizes 'corporation', highlighting the legal structure of the business.

the entity itself

Uses the more formal 'entity', suitable for legal or official contexts.

the agency itself

Substitutes 'firm' with 'agency', used for organizations providing specific services.

the establishment itself

Employs 'establishment', referring to a more established or traditional business.

the group itself

Uses 'group', referring to a collection of companies working together.

FAQs

How is "the firm itself" used in a sentence?

"The firm itself" is used to emphasize that the action or characteristic being discussed pertains to the entire company, not just individual employees or departments. For example, "The firm itself denies any wrongdoing."

What are some alternatives to "the firm itself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "the company itself", "the organization itself", or "the business itself".

Is it redundant to say "the firm itself"?

While it might seem redundant, using "the firm itself" adds emphasis and clarity, especially when distinguishing the entity's actions from those of its members or subsidiaries. It clarifies who bears the responsibility or is being referred to.

When should I use "the firm itself" instead of just "the firm"?

Use "the firm itself" when you need to highlight that you are referring to the entire organization as a single entity, particularly when there might be confusion or ambiguity about whether you're talking about the whole firm or just a part of it.