a customer of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a customer of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who purchases goods or services from a business or organization. Example: "As a loyal customer of our store, you are entitled to exclusive discounts and offers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He has been a customer of Harris's since 1927.

The New Yorker

I have been a customer of Virgin Media since 2002.

The Guardian - Money

Revlon, a customer of the Manufacturers Trustt, is the program's sponsor.

The New Yorker

The Los Angeles Police Department is also a customer of the company.

The New York Times

The retailer started out a customer of the publishers, but became a competitor.

The New York Times

Tetteh described himself as both a customer of and competitor to microcredit.

The New Yorker

Sheldon I. Epstein has been a customer of Ace Computers for more than a decade.

The New York Times

Our industry is a customer of the municipal water supply, too.

The New York Times

A similar account was given by Ben Daughdrill, a customer of Garrido's printing business.

The Guardian

Lucent said it would continue to be a customer of Power Systems after the sale.

The New York Times

"If you're a customer of branches, good for you," Mr. Kelly said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to denote formal patronage, use "patron of" instead of "customer of".

Common error

Avoid using "customer of" when referring to relationships that are not transactional. For example, use "member of" instead of "customer of" when discussing a club or organization.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a customer of" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to identify an individual or entity that purchases goods or services from a particular business or organization. This is evident in examples provided by Ludwig, where it describes relationships with businesses like Virgin Media or Ace Computers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a customer of" is a grammatically sound and widely used prepositional phrase. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to indicate a transactional relationship between an individual or entity and a business. It appears frequently in news, media, and business contexts. While other alternatives exist, such as "a client of" or "a patron of", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a client of

Emphasizes a professional service relationship, often used in legal or consulting contexts. Slightly more formal.

a patron of

Suggests a more supportive or longstanding relationship, often used in the arts or charitable organizations. Carries a connotation of endorsement.

a user of

Highlights the act of using a service or product, focusing on functionality rather than a business transaction.

a subscriber to

Specifies a recurring payment arrangement for a service or product, such as a magazine or online platform.

a member of

Indicates belonging to a group or organization, often implying certain privileges or responsibilities.

a consumer of

Broadly refers to someone who uses goods or services, often in an economic context. Less personal than "customer".

purchaser of

Focuses specifically on the act of buying something, emphasizing the transaction itself.

buyer of

Similar to "purchaser of", but slightly less formal and more commonly used.

an account holder at

Specifically denotes someone who has an account with a financial institution.

on the rolls of

Implies a formal listing or register of customers, often used in historical or bureaucratic contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "a customer of" in a sentence?

You can use "a customer of" to indicate someone who purchases goods or services from a business, such as "He is a customer of that restaurant" or "She has been a customer of our company for years".

What's the difference between "a client of" and "a customer of"?

"A client of" often suggests a professional service relationship (e.g. lawyer, consultant), whereas "a customer of" is more general and can apply to any business transaction.

Are there more formal alternatives to "a customer of"?

Yes, "a patron of" is a more formal alternative, often used to describe someone who supports an organization or cause, especially in the arts.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I'm a customer of"?

Yes, it's perfectly grammatically correct and commonly used. For example: "I'm a customer of that bank".