Long Term or Long-Term: What’s the Right Choice in Writing?

Small details can make a big difference in writing, especially when it comes to words like “long term” and “long-term.” These terms may look almost the same, but their meanings and uses are quite different. 

Whether you’re talking about goals for the future or describing a lasting impact, knowing when to use “long term” as a noun phrase or “long-term” as an adjective is key. By understanding these differences, 

you can make your writing clearer and more professional. Let’s explore how to use “long term or long-term” correctly to avoid common mistakes and improve your communication!

Why is There Confusion?

Many people get confused between “long term” and “long-term” because both are used in different ways.The term “long-term,” with a hyphen, refers to goals or plans that stretch over an extended period.”Long term” without the hyphen refers to the idea of a long period of time. Mixing them up can make writing unclear. It’s important to know when to use the hyphen for clarity!

Quick Summary

The terms “long term” and “long-term” serve different purposes: “long term” (without a hyphen) acts as a noun phrase to denote a lengthy period of time, whereas “long-term” (with a hyphen) functions as an adjective to describe something that lasts or spans an extended duration. 

It’s crucial to use each form appropriately, depending on whether you’re modifying a noun or referring to time as an independent concept. Recognizing this distinction ensures your writing remains clear and precise.

What Does “Long Term” (with space) Mean?

“Long term” (with a space) is a noun phrase that refers to a period of time that lasts for a long while. It’s used when talking about something that happens over a stretched-out duration, like years or decades. For example, “Planning for the long term is important for success.” Here, you’re focusing on the concept of time itself, without describing anything specific. It helps you think about the future and what happens over an extended period.

What Does “Long-Term” (hyphenated) Mean?

The term “long-term” (with a hyphen) is an adjective used to describe something that endures for an extended period.It’s often used to talk about plans, goals, or investments that are meant to continue or have an effect over many years. 

For example, “They made a long-term investment in the company.” Here, “long-term” tells us that the investment is not just for the short run, but for the future. It helps you describe things that are meant to last or be important for a long duration.

Long-Term vs Long Term: The Basics

The difference between “long-term” and “long term” is subtle but significant.Here’s how to use each correctly:

• “Long-term” (with a hyphen) is an adjective used to describe something that lasts a significant amount of time. For example, “She has a long-term goal of becoming a doctor.”
• Long term (without a hyphen) is a noun phrase that refers to a period of time. For example, “The company is focused on planning for the long term.”

Long-Term Definition vs Long Term Definition

The terms “long-term” and “long term” are used to describe different things, depending on how they are applied in a sentence. Understanding their meanings helps keep your writing clear and accurate.

• Long-term definition refers to something that lasts for a long period, like a goal or strategy.For example, “The long-term definition of success emphasises ongoing growth.”
• Long term definition refers to the concept of time over an extended period.For example, “The long term definition of planning focuses on preparing for the future.”

“Long Term” vs “Long-Term”: The Differences

“Long Term” as a Noun Phrase

“Long term” (without the hyphen) acts as a noun phrase that refers to a period of time. It is used when talking about something that happens over an extended period. For example:

• Correct: “He is planning for the long term.”
• Explanation: Here, “long term” is the object of the sentence, referring to a prolonged period.

“Long-Term” as an Adjective

“Long-term” (with a hyphen) is used as an adjective to describe or modify a noun.It shows that something involves or is related to a long duration. For example:

• Correct: “She is focused on long-term success.”
• Explanation: In this case, “long-term” describes the type of success, functioning as an adjective to modify “success.”

Aspect	Long Term (no hyphen)	Long-Term (with hyphen)
Grammatical Function	Acts as a noun phrase	Acts as an adjective
Usage	Refers to a specific amount of time	Describes something that continues for a long time
Example Sentence	“He is planning for the long term.”	“They have a long-term plan.”
Position in Sentence	Usually follows a verb or preposition	Placed directly before the noun it describes
Hyphenation	No hyphen	Must have a hyphen to link the words
Common Mistake	Used like an adjective	Used as a noun phrase

Synonyms For “Long Term” and “Long-Term”

Using synonyms adds variety to your writing while keeping it clear.Here are some alternative ways to express both “long term” (as a noun) and “long-term” (as an adjective):

Synonyms for “Long Term” (Noun Phrase):

• Extended period
• Distant future
• Prolonged time
• Lengthy duration
• Extended span
• Long haul

Synonyms for “Long-Term” (Adjective):

• Lasting
• Enduring
• Prolonged
• Persistent
• Extended
• Ongoing

Grammatical Rules for Long Term and Long-Term

Understanding when to use a hyphen is key to using “long term” and “long-term” correctly.

Hyphenated vs Non-Hyphenated Terms

• Use a hyphen when “long-term” is used to describe a noun, like in “long-term success.”
• Don’t use a hyphen when referring to “long term” as a noun (e.g., focusing on the long term).

Examples in Context

Examples Using Long Term (Noun Phrase)

• She is focusing on the long term for her business.
• Planning for the long term is key to achieving success.
• The team discussed the long term of their project.
• He’s not worried about the short term but about the long term.
• We need to think about the long term of the company’s growth.
• The long term of the plan looks very promising.
• He aims to save money for the long term.
• In the long term, this decision will pay off.
• They are focused on the long term, not just immediate gains.
• Investing in education is a long term strategy.

Examples Using “Long-Term” (Adjective)

• She has a long-term commitment to the community.
• They signed a long-term contract with the supplier.
• We need a long-term solution to the problem.
• He’s pursuing long-term goals in his career.
• The company is implementing a long-term plan for growth.
• They are working on a long-term project that will take years.
• A long-term investment requires patience and careful planning.
• He has long-term ambitions in the medical field.
• Their long-term vision for the company includes global expansion.
• A long-term relationship is built on trust and understanding.

Common Mistakes with Long Term and Long-Term

Many people mix up “long term” and “long-term” because they look similar, but their uses differ based on grammar. Learning the correct usage can help you write with clarity.

Incorrect Usage:

• He made a long term plan for success. (Should use “long-term.”)
• She is thinking about the long-term when investing. (Should use “long term.”)

Correct Usage:

• He created a long-term strategy for his studies.
• She is preparing for the long term in her career.

Origins of “Long Term” and “Long-Term”

Origins of “Long Term”

The phrase “long term” dates back to early English when it was used to describe extended periods of time. People used it in writing and speech to highlight the importance of future outcomes. 

It appears in financial and philosophical discussions, emphasising delayed results or sustained efforts. Over time, “long term” became a widely used noun phrase, particularly in contexts like planning and investment.Its roots lie in the combination of “long,” meaning lengthy, and “term,” referring to a period or span.

Origins of “Long-Term”

The hyphenated “long-term” evolved later as an adjective to modify nouns, making descriptions clearer and more specific. It emerged in formal English to describe things lasting or planned over extended periods, such as strategies or effects. 

Writers and speakers added the hyphen to connect the words for better readability and precision. Its use grew in fields like business, healthcare, and education. Today, “long-term” is a key term in describing goals, benefits, or consequences tied to time.

Why Use a Hyphen in Long-Term?

You use a hyphen in “long-term” to show that the two words work together as an adjective. It helps clarify meaning and avoids confusion when describing something, like “long-term goals” or “long-term effects.” Without the hyphen, the sentence might feel unclear or incomplete. The hyphen ensures your writing looks polished and easy to understand.

A Final Look at “Long Term” and “Long-Term”

Understanding the difference between “long term” and “long-term” helps make your writing clearer and more professional.“Long term” works as a noun phrase to refer to an extended period, while “long-term” acts as an adjective to describe something lasting over time.

Using them correctly shows attention to detail. Always use “long-term” when modifying a noun, and stick with “long term” when referring to time itself. Mastering these simple rules ensures your writing is precise and easy to understand.

FAQs

Is there a hyphen in long term?
The term “long term” is hyphenated only when used as a compound adjective before a noun, as in “long-term goals.” Otherwise, it remains two separate words.

How to use long term in a sentence?
You can use “long term” as a noun or adjective. Example: “She is focused on long-term success,” or “We need to plan for the long term.”

How do you write long term correctly?
“Long term” is written as two separate words when used as a noun, while “long-term” includes a hyphen when used as an adjective before a noun.

Sources

Merriam-Webster (The long term Definition & Meaning), Merriam-Webster (Long-term Definition & Meaning) and Etymonline (Etymology of long-term by etymonline).