In the fast-paced world of business, mastering the right vocabulary can make all the difference. Business collocations—words that frequently go together—help you sound professional, confident, and fluent. Below is a list of over 30 common business collocations in English, complete with explanations and examples to illustrate their use in real-life contexts.
1. Annual Turnover
This refers to the total revenue a company generates in a year.
Example: “The company reported an impressive annual turnover of $5 million last year.”
2. Bear in Mind
To remember or consider something when making decisions.
Example: “When planning the budget, bear in mind the rising costs of raw materials.”
3. Break Off Negotiations
To suddenly stop discussions or talks, usually due to disagreement.
Example: “They decided to break off negotiations after failing to agree on pricing.”
4. Cease Trading
To stop operating as a business, often due to financial difficulties.
Example: “The retailer had to cease trading after years of declining sales.”
5. Chair a Meeting
To lead or preside over a meeting.
Example: “She was chosen to chair the meeting because of her strong leadership skills.”
6. Close a Deal
To successfully finalize an agreement or sale.
Example: “After months of discussions, they finally closed the deal with the new supplier.”
7. Come to the Point
To stop delaying and address the main issue directly.
Example: “Let’s come to the point—how much will this project cost us?”
8. Dismiss an Offer
To reject a proposal or suggestion.
Example: “The board dismissed the offer, calling it insufficient.”
9. Draw a Conclusion
To reach a decision or opinion based on evidence.
Example: “After reviewing the data, we can draw a conclusion about the project’s feasibility.”
10. Draw Your Attention to
To highlight or point out something important.
Example: “I’d like to draw your attention to the new regulations affecting our industry.”
11. Go Bankrupt
When a company or individual can no longer pay debts and is legally declared insolvent.
Example: “The startup went bankrupt after failing to secure additional funding.”
12. Go into Partnership
To start a business collaboration with another person or entity.
Example: “They decided to go into partnership to expand their market reach.”
13. Launch a New Product
To introduce a new item or service to the market.
Example: “The company plans to launch a new product next quarter to boost sales.”
14. Lay Off Staff
To terminate employees, usually due to financial constraints.
Example: “The firm had to lay off staff to cut costs during the recession.”
15. Market Forces
Economic factors like supply and demand that influence prices and business decisions.
Example: “Market forces have driven up the cost of production this year.”
16. Past Few Weeks
Referring to recent time, often used to discuss trends or events.
Example: “Sales have been steady over the past few weeks despite the holiday season.”
17. Sales Figures
The numbers representing how much a company has sold.
Example: “The sales figures for this quarter exceeded our expectations.”
18. Take on Staff
To hire new employees.
Example: “We need to take on staff to handle the increased workload.”
Bonus Common Business Collocations
Here are additional collocations frequently used in business settings:
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- Meet a Deadline – “We worked overtime to meet the deadline for the client’s project.”
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- Set a Budget – “The finance team set a budget for the upcoming campaign.”
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- Run a Business – “She has successfully run a business for over a decade.”
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- Cut Costs – “To remain competitive, we need to cut costs wherever possible.”
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- Gain a Competitive Edge – “Innovative technology helped them gain a competitive edge.”
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- Sign a Contract – “They signed a contract to secure the partnership.”
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- Hold a Conference – “The company will hold a conference to announce its expansion plans.”
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- Boost Profits – “The new strategy is designed to boost profits by 20%.”
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- Conduct a Survey – “We conducted a survey to understand customer preferences.”
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- Enter the Market – “They plan to enter the market with a unique product.”
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- Generate Revenue – “The online platform has generated revenue beyond projections.”
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- Resolve a Dispute – “The managers met to resolve a dispute between departments.”
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- Secure Funding – “The startup secured funding from a major investor.”
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- Expand Operations – “The company aims to expand operations into Asia next year.”
Why Learn Business Collocations?
Using these collocations correctly can enhance your communication skills in professional settings. They allow you to express ideas concisely and naturally, making you sound more fluent and credible. Whether you’re negotiating a deal, presenting sales figures, or launching a new product, these phrases are essential tools for success in the business world.
Practice incorporating these collocations into your conversations or emails, and you’ll soon notice how they elevate your professionalism. Which of these do you already use, and which ones will you try next?