What is Business English? [A Simple Definition + Examples]

There’s much more to learning a second (or third or fourth!) language than just vocabulary and grammar because languages are used differently in different contexts.

For example, everyone speaks to their boss differently than their grandparents. We all write differently for different contexts. A text message will certainly not be the same as a formal business report.

Whether English is your first language or not, and whether you are just starting out in the professional world or have been in the workforce for some time, it’s essential to refine your business English skills. In order to do that, you first have to be aware of the different types of business English.

What is Business English?

Business English is the type of English used in business contexts, such as international trade, commerce, finance, insurance, banking, and many office settings. It entails expectations of clarity, particular vocabulary, and grammatical structures. Here’s a quick review of some of the features of professional business communication.

Clarity in Business Writing

When using English for business contexts, it is important to be as straightforward as possible and leave nothing to interpretation. If you are unclear in your business writing or speaking, you often waste time and risk losing money. This is different from literature, for example, where a lot is left up to the reader's interpretation.

Learning to write well using professional English is a process. Instructional Solutions offers online Business English Writing courses for non-native speakers that can help you to achieve this type of writing.

Short, Direct Vocabulary

Some types of English, like novels and law briefings, welcome long, sophisticated vocabulary. Business English isn’t like that. Good writing is direct and to the point. You should avoid:

• Clichés – sayings that have been used so many times they lose their power. Ex. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
• Proverbs – sayings with a moral. Ex. The early bird gets the worm.
• Idioms – culturally-based expressions. Ex. He hit a home run with that project!
• Phrasal verbs (“blow up”) when you can use a one-word verb (“explode”).
• Long verbs, such as “utilize,” when shorter ones, such as “use,” will work just as well.
• Instead, good written communication is made of short, direct sentences that use the most impactful words for your purpose. In other words, say what you mean as simply as possible. 

Simple, Yet Effective, Grammar

Save complex grammar for academic writing (though there are arguments that it doesn’t belong there either!). Good English uses simple tenses (past, present, and future simple) as well as the present perfect. Words like “first” and “then” indicate the order of actions instead of complicated grammatical structures. This ensures the message is easy to absorb, saving time and money. 

5 Types of Business English

1. Daily Communication

The first and possibly most important type of business English writing is general communication for regular business activities. 

This type of writing takes place most often via email but can also be via chat programs like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Google Chat. This type of writing is generally internal, meaning with colleagues who also work at your company. Maybe you're asking for a business meeting. Or simply reminding your co-worker to review a document. But it can also be external communication with clients or other organizations. This is how most work gets done within an organization.

Since this type of business English writing tends to be less formal, many business writers discard it as less important. Grammar errors are more frequent in daily business communication. Sloppy formatting is also common.  

But this shouldn’t be the case! Everyday communication for business activities is not just a necessary part of your job; it’s an opportunity to show your skill and highlight your professionalism. The way we communicate habitually has the power to shape others’ perceptions of our work more than any other document.

That said, this isn’t the area where you spend hours and hours editing every email. You don’t need to beat yourself up about small mistakes. Use a good grammar check tool like Grammarly to help you speed up the editing process.

Related: Business Writing Course for Non-Native Writers

2. Report Writing 

Reports in business English can take many forms, but they share one common feature: they are all used as critical tools for decision-making. Businesses rely on all types of reports to track project progress, assess risk, identify opportunities, and other purposes. 

A report is more formal than daily communication. For that reason, they require more editing. This is a type of business writing that requires multiple rounds of proofreading. You want to be sure there are no silly grammatical errors that make it seem like you were rushing.

Your language in a report should be straightforward, not overly complex. Short sentences are very impactful. Plus, they reduce the likelihood of a grammatical mistake. The goal is for your reader to understand the report topic clearly. Often, that topic is highly complex by nature, so don’t add further difficulty by trying to add “impressive” language.

Formatting and organization are also critical when writing a business report. Since business reports tend to be long and contain a lot of information, there must be a clear structure or critical details could be lost. Once you’ve done all your research and idea brainstorming, spend some time thinking about your groupings of information. Use headings to label those groupings.

Here is a tip: descriptive headings are one of your best tools to create a strong report. 

3. Technical document writing

Technical writing is a more specialized type of business English writing. There are many different kinds of technical documents. Some common ones include:

• Technical engineering reports
• Technical analyses
• Feasibility reports
• Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Product manuals

As you can imagine, you need a lot of subject-matter knowledge to write a technical document. For that reason, many technical document writers have very specific, math or science-based jobs. Engineers, technology experts, and scientists are some of the professions that often write technical documents. 

Stereotypes would say that people in those fields are weaker writers. But this is not the case! Following a clear process, keeping your end reader in mind, and using universally understandable, direct language are the keys to generating a strong technical document, regardless of your academic background.

Get feedback from a professional on your English business writing today.

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4. Proposal writing

Another necessary type of business English writing includes the world of proposals. What is a proposal, exactly? It is simply a bid for business. You're attempting to create a business relationship.

Proposals are used to:

1. demonstrate your or your company’s understanding of a problem for another company or an individual (the client), and
2. present your proposed solution to this potential client (e.g., business owner). 

Whether you are an entrepreneur or work for a company, you may need to write a proposal at some point in your career, especially if you’re interested in sales. Like reports, proposals demand more formality and must be heavily proofread to demonstrate professionalism and build a business relationship. This is where our proposal writing course comes in handy.

The key to crafting a solid proposal is in the preparation. How well do you understand your target client and their goals or challenges? A common pitfall of proposal writing is to focus solely on how great you or your company are. A proposal shouldn’t just explain why you are the best; it must demonstrate how you are the best for the client. This is a subtle but essential difference! 

Tip: Avoid business jargon in proposals. Write so the reader can easily understand what you're saying. Business jargon adds vagueness to your message. 

5. Marketing writing + social media

The last type of business English writing we’ll review is communication geared towards marketing and social media. This rapidly changing landscape requires adaptiveness, innovation, and—like all other types of business writing—attention to the end reader. In this field, you may write for multiple platforms, notably email, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. 

All types of businesses and industries participate in marketing and social media. This may be the fastest-growing area of business English writing now, so there is a lot of demand for strong writers with this skill. 

Two significant elements are especially important in this type of writing:

1. awareness of brand voice and tone
2. conciseness

Identifying the appropriate tone is necessary for all types of business English writing, but for social media and marketing writing, an engaging and consistent brand voice is especially critical. As a writer, you’re not using your voice. You must find the right words and phrasing for the tone of the brand or company. This medium is where it’s harder to keep your readers’ attention, so conciseness is key! Fewer words, complete clarity, and maximum impact are the goals here.

Enroll in our online non-native business writing course today to get started.

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Improve Your Business English

I hope this helps you better understand the various types of writing within business English. Strong written communication is a huge career asset regardless of your area of work. At Instructional Solutions, we’re here to support you. Enroll in our Business Writing Techniques for Non-Native English Writers Course to take your writing skills in business English to the next level.