a regular customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a regular customer" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who frequently visits or uses a particular business or service. Example: The café was always bustling with regular customers who stopped by for their morning coffee and pastry before heading to work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Jonathan Dimbleby is a regular customer.

The Guardian - Books

Is Hockney a regular customer at the marijuana store?

The Guardian - Arts

(The bartender testified that she was a regular customer).

The New Yorker

She seemed quite at home, obviously a regular customer.

The Guardian - Travel

"Hi, Sweetie Pie," says a woman, a regular customer.

The New York Times

"He looked just like a regular customer," he said.

The New York Times

"It's not like a CVS," said Stacy Gallagher, a regular customer who lives in Medford.

The New York Times

I became a regular customer and was dorky about it, keeping a notebook, writing down names.

The New York Times - Food

A regular customer said he bought Windows 7 from the site for about $5.

The New York Times

Even his 23-year-old daughter, a regular customer, has concerns.

The New York Times

Then, one day, she summons the courage to invite a regular customer to dinner.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "loyal client" or "valued patron" to project a more professional or appreciative tone.

Common error

Avoid using "a regular customer" when you mean "an average customer". "Regular" implies consistent patronage, not typical behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a regular customer" functions as a noun phrase identifying someone who frequently purchases goods or services from a particular business. This is evident in the Ludwig examples where individuals are recognized and known by the establishment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a regular customer" is a common phrase used to describe someone who frequently patronizes a business. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. The phrase serves to highlight a consistent relationship between a customer and a business, implying familiarity and often loyalty. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, alternative phrasings like "loyal client" or "valued patron" can add a more formal or appreciative nuance. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects a consistent patronage rather than simply an average customer interaction. Finally, the many Ludwig examples suggest that is an easy to understand concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a frequent patron

Replaces "customer" with "patron", emphasizing support and loyalty.

a return customer

Highlights the act of returning to the business for repeat purchases or services.

a loyal client

Substitutes "customer" with "client", suggesting a more professional or ongoing relationship.

a valued patron

Highlights the customer's importance and the business's appreciation.

an established customer

Highlights the duration and consistency of the customer's relationship with the business.

a repeat buyer

Focuses on the customer's purchasing behavior, highlighting repeated transactions.

a longtime shopper

Suggests an established history of shopping at a particular store.

a steady consumer

Emphasizes consistent consumption of goods or services.

an habitual purchaser

Emphasizes the routine nature of the customer's buying habits.

a familiar face

Emphasizes the customer's recognizability within the business setting.

FAQs

What is another way to say "a regular customer"?

Alternatives include "a frequent patron", "a loyal client", or "an established customer", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How do you use "a regular customer" in a sentence?

Example: "The café was bustling with activity as "a regular customer" entered, greeted by name by the barista."

What's the difference between "a regular customer" and "a casual customer"?

"A regular customer" frequents a business often, while "a casual customer" visits only occasionally or sporadically.

Is it better to be "a regular customer" or just "a customer"?

Being ""a regular customer"" typically implies a stronger relationship with the business, potentially leading to perks or personalized service, unlike just being "a customer" who visits infrequently.