When you see the words long term or long-term, do you ever stop and wonder which one is right? It’s a common question that causes confusion. But don’t worry, we’ll clear that up today! Understanding when to use longterm without a space, long term with a space, or long-term with a hyphen isn’t as complicated as it seems. Let’s dive into this grammar mystery and break it down!
Why is There Confusion?
People often mix up long term and long-term because they look similar. In everyday writing, it’s easy to overlook the small details that change their meanings. Many writers don’t always pay attention to grammar rules, especially in informal settings like emails or social media posts. The rise of digital writing, with its casual tone and quick pace, has blurred the lines. As a result, long-term is sometimes written as long term (without the hyphen). But using them correctly can make your writing clearer and more professional.
What Does “Long Term” (with space) Mean?
The term long term refers to a period of time or a future scenario when used as a noun phrase. It’s the phrase you use when talking about something that will happen in the future, or an outcome that takes time to achieve. For instance, you could say, “The long term goal is to become a successful entrepreneur.” Here, long term is simply acting as a noun phrase, indicating an extended period. You wouldn’t hyphenate long term in this context because it’s not functioning as an adjective.
What Does “Long-Term” (hyphenated) Mean?
On the other hand, long-term with a hyphen is used when it acts as an adjective. This means it describes or modifies another noun. For example, “He made a long-term investment.” The hyphen joins the two words together, showing that they work as one adjective to describe the noun (investment). The key difference here is that the hyphen signals that the term is being used to modify something. This is why the hyphen is necessary. Without it, the sentence might be unclear.
“Long Term” vs “Long-Term”: The Differences
The difference between long term and long-term is subtle, but important. When you use long term (without the hyphen), you’re using a noun phrase. It describes an extended duration or time frame. For example, “In the long term, things will improve.” Here, long term is a noun phrase and doesn’t modify any nouns. But when you add the hyphen, long-term becomes an adjective. It describes something as being sustained over time, such as in “We need to make a long-term commitment.” The hyphen shows that the two words are working together to describe the noun.
Here’s a simple table to compare:
| Term | Part of Speech | Example |
| Long term | Noun Phrase | “The long term is uncertain.” |
| Long-term | Adjective | “This is a long-term project.” |
“Long Term” as a Noun Phrase
Long term as a noun phrase is used when you refer to a period of time or an outcome expected in the future. For example, you might say, “We must think about the long term when making decisions.” This usage indicates that you are considering a distant future or a lasting impact. The absence of the hyphen means that long term is not describing anything, it’s simply the subject of the sentence.
To make this clearer, imagine you’re planning a project. If you say, “We need to have a solid long term plan,” you’re talking about the future strategy, not describing the plan itself. This is why there’s no need for a hyphen.
“Long-Term” as an Adjective
When you use long-term as an adjective, it describes a noun, often indicating something sustained or extended. For example, “We are looking for long-term solutions.” In this case, the hyphen connects the two words, showing that they work together as a single adjective. Long-term modifies the noun “solutions,” meaning solutions that are meant to last for a long time. Without the hyphen, the meaning would change and sound awkward. The hyphen is essential when you need to clarify that you’re describing the nature of the noun.
Synonyms For “Long Term” and “Long-Term”
There are several synonyms for both long term and long-term. For example, instead of saying long term, you could use phrases like “extended period,” “future phase,” or “prolonged duration.” These alternatives work well in most situations when referring to time. Similarly, for long-term (as an adjective), you can use words like “sustained,” “enduring,” or “prolonged.”
However, be cautious about the context. Not every synonym fits perfectly in all sentences. For example, “sustained” works as a synonym for long-term in “a long-term investment,” but “extended period” would be better for long term in “We’re planning for the long term.”
Synonyms for “Long Term” (Noun Phrase)
Synonyms for long term when used as a noun phrase include:
- “Extended period”
- “Future span”
- “Prolonged time frame”
These phrases can be swapped in most cases when you want to talk about time or duration. For instance, instead of saying, “Let’s consider the long term,” you could say, “Let’s consider the extended period.”
Synonyms for “Long-Term” (Adjective)
When long-term is used as an adjective, you can try these alternatives:
- “Sustained”
- “Enduring”
- “Prolonged”
These are great when describing something that lasts for a while. For example, you might say, “She made a prolonged effort to improve her skills” instead of “long-term effort.”
Examples in Context
Let’s look at some examples to understand how both long term and long-term are used.
For long term (noun phrase), you could say, “We need to plan for the long term in our business strategy.” This implies thinking about the future, not necessarily describing a specific noun. You can’t use long term as an adjective here.
For long-term (adjective), consider this sentence: “Our company is making a long-term investment in technology.” In this case, the hyphen makes it clear that long-term describes the type of investment.
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Origins of “Long Term” and “Long-Term”
The use of long term and long-term dates back to the early 1900s. The hyphen started appearing more frequently in formal writing, especially in the 20th century, as grammar rules became stricter. The long term without the hyphen has always existed as a way to discuss time spans, but the long-term hyphenated form was created to modify nouns in a clearer way. Today, both forms are commonly used in writing, but it’s essential to know when to use each.
FAQ’s
What is the difference between “long term” and “long-term”?
The difference is simple: long term is a noun phrase, while long-term is an adjective.
When do we use “long term”?
Use long term when referring to time as a noun, like in “We’re planning for the long term.”
When do we use “long-term”?
Use long-term when you want to describe something, like in “We need a long-term solution.”
Can I use “longterm” without a space or hyphen?
No, longterm without a space or hyphen is incorrect in standard writing.
Why is the hyphen important in “long-term”?
The hyphen helps clarify that long-term is acting as an adjective to describe a noun.
Can “long term” be used as an adjective?
No, long term should not be used as an adjective. Use long-term instead.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve explored the differences between long term and long-term, you should feel confident about when to use each one. Remember, long term is a noun phrase, and long-term is an adjective. Always pay attention to the context, and you’ll make your writing clearer and more professional. Happy writing!
