In professional writing, tiny punctuation marks—like a hyphen—can carry major weight. One of the most common style questions writers face is whether to write long-term-or-long-term. Are they interchangeable? Is one grammatically wrong? The answer lies in how the phrase functions within a sentence.
Let’s break it all down in this comprehensive guide, and by the end, you’ll never second-guess the hyphen again.
Why the Confusion Exists
At first glance, the difference between long term and long‑term seems cosmetic. After all, both communicate the idea of an extended period, right? But in writing, grammar clarity and usage distinction matter.
The confusion usually arises because:
- Grammar checkers sometimes suggest both forms without explanation.
- Different style guides (APA, AP, Chicago) follow slightly different hyphen rules.
- Writers don’t always recognize when a phrase is acting as a compound adjective or as a noun phrase.
Here’s the thing: both forms are grammatically correct—but only in the right context.
What Does “Long Term” Mean?
The open form long term (no hyphen) is a noun phrase. This means it functions as a noun in a sentence. It typically appears after a verb or a preposition, acting as the subject or object.
Example:
“We’re investing for the long term.”
In this sentence, “long term” is a standalone phrase that acts as the object of the preposition “for.” It’s not modifying a noun—it is the noun.
Key Characteristics:
- Functions as a phrase functioning as noun
- Often appears after verbs or prepositions
- Never hyphenated
What Does “Long-Term” Mean?
Long‑term (with a hyphen) is a compound adjective—a grammatical unit formed by linking two words to act together as a single descriptive modifier before a noun.
Example:
“This is a long-term strategy.”
Here, “long-term” describes the noun “strategy.” Because it appears before the noun it modifies, it must be hyphenated for writing precision and clarity.
Key Characteristics:
- Adjective before noun
- Follows the hyphenation rule for compound modifiers
- Adds clarity and eliminates ambiguity
Grammatical Function: When to Use Each Form
The difference between these two long-term-or-long-term forms is all about placement in the sentence and whether it’s modifying a noun or standing on its own.
Long Term as a Noun Phrase
A noun phrase consists of a noun and its modifiers, functioning as a single noun.
Usage Examples:
- “He’s in it for the long term.”
- “Over the long term, markets tend to rise.”
Notice how “long term” isn’t modifying another noun—it’s standing alone or following a preposition. No hyphen is needed.
Long-Term as a Hyphenated Adjective
Use long‑term when the phrase directly modifies a noun that follows it.
Adjective Usage Examples:
- “They signed a long-term lease.”
- “We’re launching a long-term marketing plan.”
- “Long-term effects are still being studied.”
Here, the phrase serves as a compound adjective, describing something. Hyphenation is crucial to avoid misreading.
Visual Guide: When to Use “Long Term” or “Long-Term”
To help you remember, here’s a quick reference table:
| Phrase | Type | Position in Sentence | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| long term | Noun phrase | After verb/preposition | “They’re thinking in the long term.” |
| long‑term | Hyphenated adjective | Before a noun (modifier role) | “It’s a long‑term agreement.” |
Common Writing Mistakes to Avoid
Writers often misplace hyphens or omit them entirely when they’re essential. These are the most common missteps:
❌ Incorrect:
- “This is a long term solution.”
- “We need to consider the long-term.”
✅ Correct:
- “This is a long-term solution.” (hyphen needed as it’s modifying “solution”)
- “We need to consider the long term.” (noun phrase, no hyphen)
Hyphenation Rules Refresher
Here are the basic hyphen rules relevant to this case:
- Hyphenate compound adjectives when they come before a noun (e.g., “well-known author”).
- Do not hyphenate when the same phrase appears after the noun or stands alone (e.g., “The author is well known”).
- Hyphenation provides grammar clarity and avoids ambiguity.
Style Guide Differences
Various professional style guides offer their own guidance on the hyphenation of compound adjectives like “long-term.”
| Style Guide | Rule Summary | Example |
|---|---|---|
| AP Style | Hyphenate when before a noun; open after | “A long-term plan” vs. “the long term” |
| Chicago Manual | Follows standard grammar rules for compounds | Same as AP |
| APA Style | Prefers clarity; hyphenates for adjective use | Hyphenate when modifying a noun |
So, no matter which style you follow, the usage distinction remains consistent: hyphenate only when modifying a noun.
Real-World Usage in Sentences
Examples Using “Long Term” (Noun Phrase):
- “We’re in it for the long term.”
- “Over the long term, this strategy will pay off.”
- “Her vision extends into the long term.”
These are all noun phrase examples—“long term” functions independently, not modifying another word.
Examples Using “Long-Term” (Hyphenated Adjective):
- “A long-term goal helps maintain focus.”
- “The company adopted a long-term growth strategy.”
- “Long-term exposure may have side effects.”
Each of these demonstrates adjective usage examples, where “long‑term” modifies a following noun.
Synonyms and Alternatives
Sometimes, repetition can bog down writing. These synonyms for long term and synonyms for long‑term can help you vary your word choice.
Synonyms for “Long Term” (Noun Phrase):
- The distant future
- An extended period
- The long haul
- The foreseeable future
- Over time
Synonyms for “Long‑Term” (Adjective):
- Enduring
- Ongoing
- Extended
- Prolonged
- Lasting
Using these variations allows your content to remain clear, while also engaging and diverse.
Etymology and Historical Usage
Origins of “Long Term”:
The noun phrase “long term” has been used since the early 20th century, especially in financial and economic texts. Phrases like “long term interest rates” or “thinking in the long term” became common in business writing.
Origins of “Long-Term”:
The hyphenated adjective form likely developed out of necessity—as writers needed a way to clarify that two words were modifying a noun together. It appears heavily in scientific, financial, and legal documents dating back to the 1950s.
Usage Trends and Data Insights
A quick Google Ngram comparison of long term vs long-term shows that both forms are widely used, but context dictates the frequency:
- “Long-term” appears more often in technical and formal documents.
- “Long term” dominates when used independently or abstractly.
Online grammar checkers like Grammarly and Hemingway Editor also flag the difference based on sentence structure—proof that modern tools recognize this nuance.
Case Studies: Real Examples from Business and Media
Case Study 1: Corporate Planning
Incorrect: “We need a long term strategy.”
Correct: “We need a long-term strategy.”
Why? Because long-term is an adjective modifying “strategy.”
Case Study 2: Financial Reporting
“Earnings will improve in the long term.”
Here, the phrase follows a preposition and functions as a noun—no hyphen needed.
FAQs: Long Term vs Long-Term
Is “longterm” one word?
No. “Longterm” is not standard English. Always use “long term” or “long‑term” based on context.
What about plural forms like “long-terms”?
Avoid pluralizing compound adjectives directly. Instead, revise the sentence.
❌ “Multiple long-terms”
✅ “Multiple long-term contracts”
Do titles or headings use the hyphen?
Yes, if “long-term” is used as an adjective. For example:
“5 Long-Term Investment Tips” ✅
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Form with Confidence
Here’s the golden rule:
- Use long-term when it’s an adjective modifying a noun.
- Use long term when it’s a standalone phrase functioning as a noun.
Understanding this basic distinction sharpens your writing and enhances grammar clarity. Hyphenation isn’t about nitpicking—it’s about precision and professionalism.