Cool MateBusiness vs Industry
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Business
Top 1,000 (very common)A1noun
Industry
Top 2,000 (common)A2noun
Most common: Business
| Business | Industry | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈbɪznəs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈbɪznəs/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɪndəstri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɪndəstri/"]/ |
| Meaning | The activity of making or selling goods or services. | A specific area of business or work. |
| Example | She started her own business last year. | The technology industry is rapidly evolving with new innovations. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | big, profitable, private, carry on, conduct, do, deal, transaction, opportunity, in business, on business, business as usual, business or pleasure, mix business with pleasure, daily, real, get on with, go about, make something, have no business doing something, have no business to do something, keep your nose out of somebody’s business, brisk, good, bad, do, attract, drum up, boom, grow, pick up, large, medium-sized, small, have, own, manage, do well, flourish, succeed, assets, premises, failure, daily, real, get on with, go about, make something, have no business doing something, have no business to do something, keep your nose out of somebody’s business, private, important, pressing, get down to, deal with, discuss, any other business, mean business, whole, dirty, messy, big, profitable, private, carry on, conduct, do, deal, transaction, opportunity, in business, on business, business as usual, business or pleasure, mix business with pleasure | booming, growing, thriving, benefit, develop, encourage, boom, develop, expand, executive, leader, expert, in industry, within industry, a captain of industry, commerce and industry, regulation of (an) industry, booming, growing, thriving, benefit, develop, encourage, boom, develop, expand, executive, leader, expert, in industry, within industry, a captain of industry, commerce and industry, regulation of (an) industry |
| Antonyms | leisure, idleness, unemployment | amateur, hobby |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'busy' — 'business' refers to work, while 'busy' means having a lot to do., Using 'business' as a verb — it is only a noun., Saying 'the business are' instead of 'the business is' — 'business' is a singular noun. | Confusing 'industry' with 'sector' in informal contexts., Using 'industries' in singular contexts., Mispronouncing it as 'in-dust-ry' instead of 'in-duh-stree'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'business' in general and formal contexts when discussing work, trade, or commerce. It is not typically used in casual conversations about personal matters. | Use 'industry' in contexts related to business and economics. Avoid using it informally. It is appropriate in both written and spoken language when discussing markets or sectors. |
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Frequently asked questions: Business vs Industry
What's the difference between Business and Industry?
Business: The activity of making or selling goods or services. Industry: A specific area of business or work.
Which is more common: Business and Industry?
Business is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Business and Industry?
Industry is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Business and Industry the same CEFR level?
Business: A1, Industry: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Business and Industry?
Business: noun, Industry: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Business: She started her own business last year. Industry: The technology industry is rapidly evolving with new innovations.
Can I use Business and Industry interchangeably?
Not always. Business and Industry are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.