various businesses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "various businesses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a range of different companies or enterprises in a general context. Example: "The conference will feature speakers from various businesses, sharing their insights on industry trends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He tried various businesses but he was never a businessman.

The Guardian

Here, he holds meetings for his various businesses.

Independent

Trump also claims to employ "so many, so many" African Americans in his various businesses.

The Guardian

Naturally, there are "dons" who take a cut from the various businesses that have established themselves.

The New Yorker

Estimating the ratio is complicated because of the limited information Google discloses about its various businesses.

The Guardian - Tech

They've broken into various businesses, jewellery shops, bookies, it's absolutely crazy.

The Guardian

They are fast friends, but they also rule the city in various businesses.

The New York Times

She started various businesses, which she either failed at or got bored of and sold.

The New Yorker

Although they failed to prevent him from skipping the country, they did loot his various businesses.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Samir Jain first took over, the various businesses of B.C.C.L. were in decline.

The New Yorker

Mr. Manning eliminated the various businesses' Web sites and started Hansonbrick.com in their place.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's portfolio, use "various businesses" to highlight the breadth of its operations. For instance, "The conglomerate manages risk by investing in various businesses, from real estate to technology."

Common error

Avoid using "business" as a singular noun when referring to multiple entities. For example, instead of saying "He owns various business", say "He owns /s/various+businesses" or "He owns /s/multiple+businesses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "various businesses" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a sentence. Ludwig AI examples show it referring to a collection of different commercial entities, as in "He employs more than 600 people in "various businesses"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "various businesses" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to multiple enterprises. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, business, and scientific contexts to describe the breadth of activities or investments. When using this phrase, ensure the noun is plural and consider alternatives like "/s/multiple+enterprises" for a more formal tone. The examples show the phrase in diverse contexts, from investment portfolios to the scope of a large organization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

multiple enterprises

Replaces "businesses" with "enterprises", emphasizing the scale and ambition of the ventures.

diverse companies

Substitutes "businesses" with "companies", highlighting the variety in organizational structure and activities.

assorted ventures

Replaces "businesses" with "ventures", suggesting a focus on the risk and innovation involved.

different industries

Shifts the focus from individual businesses to the broader sectors in which they operate.

several establishments

Replaces "businesses" with "establishments", offering a more formal tone and emphasizing the physical presence of the businesses.

numerous firms

Substitutes "businesses" with "firms", commonly used in professional and financial contexts.

a range of operations

Focuses on the activities and processes within different companies rather than the companies themselves.

a variety of organizations

Broadens the scope to include non-profit and governmental entities, not just commercial businesses.

various economic sectors

Emphasizes the economic aspect and categorizes businesses based on their sector.

multiple commercial entities

Offers a formal and precise alternative, often used in legal or financial contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "various businesses" in a sentence?

You can use "various businesses" to refer to a number of different companies or enterprises, as in "The conference showcased innovations from /s/various+businesses across the tech industry."

What's a more formal alternative to "various businesses"?

Alternatives like "/s/multiple+enterprises", "/s/numerous+firms", or "/s/different+industries" can be used in more formal contexts.

Is it correct to say "various business" instead of "various businesses"?

No, "various business" is grammatically incorrect. Since "various" implies more than one, the noun must be plural: "/s/various+businesses".

What's the difference between "various businesses" and "other businesses"?

"Various businesses" refers to a selection of different companies, while "/s/other+businesses" implies a distinction from a previously mentioned set of businesses. For example, "We invested in various businesses" means we invested in multiple different companies. "We invested in this business, as well as /s/other+businesses", implies we made further investments.