English lesson - company or firm?
 

Is saying "firm" the same thing as saying "company"?
For instance is it perfectly fine to say "accounting firms" instead of "accounting companies"?

Also - Does it make any diference if its British or american English?

Thanks

firm2    
[furm] Show IPA
–noun
1.
a partnership or association for carrying on a business.
2.
the name or title under which associated parties transact business: the firm of Smith & Jones.


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com·pa·ny   
[kuhm-puh-nee] Show IPA
noun, plural -nies, verb, -nied, -ny·ing.
–noun
1.
a number of individuals assembled or associated together; group of people.
2.
a guest or guests: We're having company for dinner.
3.
an assemblage of persons for social purposes.



So a firm certainly means bbusiness while compnay can be just a group of people.
But I think it doesnt matter much in context where buisnes services involved.

This is what I found in another forum via google. Multiple threads on other forums linked to this thread as well.

"I look at 'firm' as generally being some form of a professional partnership such as a firm of accountants, a law firm, etc. i.e it is not incorporated and has no statutes, just possibly a partnership agreement, but not always.

A 'company', by contrast, is a legally constituted organization having shareholders and statutes and is governed by legislation under the various Companies Acts

'Business' is I feel more generic and could apply to either of the above although it is perhaps more often used to refer to tradespeople: butchers, bakers, greengrocers, a mom & pop stores, etc."

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/company
also shows it as this via world dictionary:
4. A business enterprise...

as well as this
9. A unit of Girl Guides
:pimp

Pretty much. Depends on the context.

yup


To whom? Depends on the context.

'accounting firm' is more American English.

I meant is it possible that saying "accounting firms" would sound more natural in US than in UK (as an example) :)

Ps: Is it just me or saying "accounting firms" sounds more natural than saying for instance "construction firms" ?

Yes, it is more commonly used in the US.

Here in the UK you could say accounting firm, but accounting company would (imho) be more commonly used.

Not interchangeable in all instances. For example... saying a chick has lovely company breasts just doesn't work, or would actually mean something different altogether.

Depends on who owns it... Banded together professionals start firms... Lead partners...

Hired employees work for companies... CEO.. etc...

What if banded together professionals start a firm and then hire employees to work for them? :winkwink:

So my final question - if this sentence "There are 50 construction companies in Ohio" was changed into "There are 50 construction firms in Ohio" it still would sound all natural and not weird in any way?

Some people in England will say "the firm I used to work for" or "I work at a firm in london" etc.

It's more slang in England, usually for larger or more corporate companies.

I would use company because the place I used to work for was small for example.

Also, firm in the UK can mean Gang/Mob

Law Firm ...... Widget Company

A firm means business while company can be just a small bunch or office of people who work for you.

Allright, thaks for replies all.