run a business

Meaning

This expression means to manage, control, or be in charge of a commercial company or organization. It refers to the overall operation of the business, rather than just working as an employee. It is commonly used in both casual and professional conversations.

Examples

• My aunt has been running a successful bakery for over ten years.

  My aunt has been running a successful bakery for over ten years.

• It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to run a business.

  It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to run a business.

• She decided to quit her job and run her own consulting business.

  She decided to quit her job and run her own consulting business.

• Running a business involves managing finances and hiring staff.

  Running a business involves managing finances and hiring staff.

• They run a family business that manufactures eco-friendly packaging.

  They run a family business that manufactures eco-friendly packaging.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He wants to make a business in the future.

  ✓ He wants to run a business in the future.

  Learners often translate literally from their native language and use 'make' instead of 'run' when talking about managing a company.

• ✗ She is playing a business very well.

  ✓ She is running a business very well.

  Using 'play' or 'control' is incorrect; 'run' is the natural collocation in English for operating a business.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It has always been his dream to ___ of his own.

  💡 To manage or operate a company.

  Show answer

  run a business

• She learned how to ___ by helping her parents with their shop.

  💡 To operate and manage a commercial enterprise.

  Show answer

  run a business