establish a business

Meaning

To start, found, or set up a company or organization on a firm or permanent basis. This is a formal expression, often used in professional, legal, or biographical contexts rather than casual conversation.

Examples

• It takes a significant amount of capital to establish a business in this city.

  It takes a significant amount of capital to establish a business in this city.

• She moved to London with the sole intention to establish a business.

  She moved to London with the sole intention to establish a business.

• The founders worked tirelessly to establish a business that values sustainability.

  The founders worked tirelessly to establish a business that values sustainability.

• Before you can establish a business, you must register it with the local government.

  Before you can establish a business, you must register it with the local government.

• He managed to establish a business that now employs over fifty people.

  He managed to establish a business that now employs over fifty people.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He wants to build up a business next year.

  ✓ He wants to establish a business next year.

  While 'build up' or 'start' are fine in casual speech, 'establish' is the preferred formal term for setting up a company.

• ✗ They established a business of selling shoes.

  ✓ They established a shoe business.

  Avoid the awkward 'business of [verb-ing]' construction. Use a direct noun modifier or a simpler participle clause like 'a business selling shoes'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The government offers grants to young entrepreneurs who want to ___.

  💡 Start a company formally.

  Show answer

  establish a business

• It has always been her dream to ___ in the fashion industry.

  💡 Found or set up a company.

  Show answer

  establish a business