If you’ve ever wondered whether to write long term or long-term, you’re not alone. Many writers, students, and professionals get confused because both forms are correct, but they are used in different situations.
The difference comes down to a simple grammar rule about hyphenated compound adjectives. In general, long-term is used before a noun, as in long-term goals or long-term investment, while long term is written as two words when it appears after the noun or refers to a period of time, such as planning for the long term.
Understanding when to use long-term and when to use long term will make your writing clearer and more professional. In this guide, you’ll learn the correct usage, easy grammar rules, practical examples, common mistakes to avoid, and helpful tips to remember the difference with confidence.
Quick Answer
Both long term and long-term are correct, but they serve different purposes. Use long-term when it comes before a noun as a compound adjective, such as long-term goals or long-term investment. Use long term without a hyphen when referring to a long period of time or when the phrase appears after the noun, like planning for the long term.
What Does “Long Term” Mean?
The phrase long term refers to a long period of time or something that lasts well into the future. It is commonly used when talking about plans, goals, investments, relationships, or decisions that are expected to continue for months or even years.
As a noun phrase, long term is usually written as two separate words. For example, you might say, “We are thinking about the long term before making this decision.”
In this sentence, the phrase refers to the future rather than describing a noun. Knowing the long term meaning helps you understand when to use long term correctly. If you enjoy learning grammar rules, you may also find our guide on Up to Date or Up-to-Date helpful.
Long Term vs. Long-Term: What’s the Difference?
The difference between long term and long-term is simple once you know the grammar rule. Long-term is a compound adjective that comes before a noun, while long term is a noun phrase that usually comes after a verb or follows the noun it relates to.
For example, a long-term investment is correct because the hyphen joins the two words to describe investment. However, “This investment is for the long term” is also correct because long term refers to a period of time.
Both forms have the same basic meaning, but their placement in a sentence changes whether you need a hyphen. Understanding this rule makes your writing clearer and more accurate.
When to Use “Long-Term”
Use long-term with a hyphen when it comes before a noun and acts as a compound adjective. The hyphen connects the words so readers know they work together to describe the noun. This is the standard long-term grammar rule used in formal and everyday writing. For example, you would write long-term goals, long-term planning, long-term relationship, or long-term investment.
In each example, long-term describes the noun that follows. A simple way to remember this rule is to ask yourself whether the phrase comes before a noun. If it does, use the hyphen. Following this pattern will help you write more naturally and avoid one of the most common punctuation mistakes in English.
When to Use “Long Term”
Use long term without a hyphen when it does not come before a noun. In this case, it usually works as a noun phrase that refers to the future or a long period of time. For example, “The company is planning for the long term,” and “This decision will benefit us in the long term” are both correct.
Here, long term is not describing another word, so no hyphen is needed. A helpful trick is to check whether you can place the phrase after a verb like think, plan, or invest. If you can, long term is usually the correct choice. For another grammar lesson, read our guide on the Past Tense of Tear.
Is “Longterm” One Word?
No, longterm is not a standard English word. Most dictionaries and grammar guides recognize only long term and long-term, depending on how the phrase is used in a sentence. Writing longterm as one word is generally considered a spelling mistake in formal, academic, and professional writing.
You may sometimes see it in usernames, company names, hashtags, or product branding, but those are special cases and do not follow standard grammar rules. If you want your writing to look polished and correct, avoid using longterm as one word. Instead, choose long-term when it describes a noun and long term when it refers to a period of time.
The Grammar Rule Behind the Hyphen
The rule for using long-term is part of a larger grammar rule about hyphenated compound adjectives. When two or more words work together to describe a noun before it, they are often joined with a hyphen to make the meaning clear. For example, long-term plan, high-quality product, and well-known author all use hyphens because the words act as one adjective.
However, when the descriptive phrase comes after the noun, the hyphen is usually removed. For example, “The plan is long term” is correct without a hyphen. Learning this simple rule will help you use many other compound adjectives correctly and improve the clarity of your writing.
Common Mistakes Writers Make
Many writers make small mistakes when using long term and long-term, but they are easy to avoid once you know the rule. The most common mistake is leaving out the hyphen before a noun, such as writing long term goals instead of long-term goals.
Another mistake is adding a hyphen when it is not needed, as in “We are planning for the long-term.”
In this sentence, long term should be written as two words because it refers to a period of time. Some people also write longterm as one word, but this is not accepted in standard English. Before you write, simply check whether the phrase describes a noun or refers to time.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term
Both long-term and short-term describe how long something lasts, but they have opposite meanings. Long-term refers to something that continues for a long period, while short-term describes something that lasts only a short time.
For example, a long-term investment may take years to grow, whereas a short-term investment is meant to earn returns more quickly.
The same rule applies to both phrases. Use a hyphen when they come before a noun, such as long-term goals or short-term plans. When referring to time itself, write them without a hyphen, as in “Think about the long term” or “Focus on the short term.” Understanding both forms makes your writing more accurate.
Examples of Long-Term and Long Term in Sentences
Looking at real examples is one of the best ways to remember the difference between long-term and long term. Here are a few correct sentences:
- She created a long-term business plan.
- They are making a long-term investment.
- A long-term relationship takes trust and patience.
- We are planning for the long term.
- This decision will help us in the long term.
- The company is thinking about the long term before expanding.
In the first three examples, long-term comes before a noun, so it needs a hyphen. In the last three, long term refers to a period of time, so it is written as two separate words.
Similar Hyphenated Words You Should Know
The rule for long-term also applies to many other hyphenated compound adjectives. Learning these patterns will help you avoid similar grammar mistakes. For example, write full-time job, well-known author, high-quality product, up-to-date information, and in-person meeting when the phrases come before a noun.
However, the hyphen is often removed when the phrase comes after the noun. For example, “The information is up to date” and “She works full time.” Although each expression has its own style preferences, the basic rule is the same. If two or more words work together to describe a noun before it, they are usually joined with a hyphen.
FAQs
Is long term always hyphenated?
No. Long-term is hyphenated only when it comes before a noun as a compound adjective.
Is longterm a correct spelling?
No. Longterm is not considered standard English in formal writing.
Can both long term and long-term be correct?
Yes. Both forms are correct, but they are used in different parts of a sentence.
How do I remember the rule?
If the phrase comes before a noun, use long-term. If it refers to a period of time or comes after the noun, use long term.
Is this rule used in American and British English?
Yes. Both varieties of English generally follow the same hyphenation rule.
Quick Grammar Cheat Sheet
Use this simple guide whenever you are unsure which form to choose:
| Use | Correct Form | Example |
| Before a noun | Long-term | A long-term solution |
| Referring to time | Long term | We are planning for the long term. |
| Compound adjective | Long-term | Long-term goals |
| Noun phrase | Long term | Success comes in the long term. |
| One word | Longterm ❌ | Not standard English |
This quick rule works in most situations and can help you avoid common writing mistakes. When in doubt, check whether the phrase describes a noun or simply refers to a long period of time.
Conclusion
The answer to “Long Term or Long-Term: Which Is Correct?” is simple: both are correct, but they are used in different ways. Use long-term with a hyphen when it comes before a noun, such as long-term goals, long-term planning, or long-term investment.
Use long term without a hyphen when it refers to a period of time or appears after the noun, such as thinking about the long term. Avoid writing longterm as one word in formal writing because it is not standard English.