Hi people! Here are three questions for you. I hope you can help me!!
•Is it OK to say "a short number of businesses/companies" or would you rather say " a small number of businesses/companies"?
•In which cases is the word "business" a countable noun and can therefore be pluralized? Is the above example one of these?
•The last question: Do you (i.e. English people) normally use the expression "May I introduce myself?" when you are in a meeting and there isn't another person to introduce you? Or does it sound rather awkward, artificial and old-fashioned?
I would really appreciate it if you could help me with these questions!
Thanks a lot in advance!!
Kind regards,
Mara.
a small/ short number of companies
Moderators: Dimitris, maneki neko2, Lorikeet, Enrico Palazzo, superpeach, cecil2, Mr. Kalgukshi2
1) a small number of businesses
2) if you can substitute the word "company" or "firm", then "business" is countable. You've used it correctly.
3) "May I introduce myself?" sounds a bit formal to me (an American) though I would probably use it in a business situation outside the U.S. In the States, we tend to simply say "Hi, I'm _______" .
2) if you can substitute the word "company" or "firm", then "business" is countable. You've used it correctly.
3) "May I introduce myself?" sounds a bit formal to me (an American) though I would probably use it in a business situation outside the U.S. In the States, we tend to simply say "Hi, I'm _______" .
a small/ short number of companies
Thanks a lot! Your reply has been really helpful.
Mara.
Mara.