according to customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "according to customer" is not correct in standard written English.
It should be "according to the customer" or "according to customers" depending on the intended meaning. Example: "According to the customer, the product exceeded their expectations."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

Wet fish will occasionally be ordered as according to customer demand.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

More coddling, according to customer surveys that rank Infiniti retailers at or near the top of all dealerships.

The New York Times

The company's reputation for customer service has declined, according to customer surveys, and it is has not been adding subscribers at the same rate as its competitors.

The New York Times

Now Mr. Gifford is reorganizing FleetBoston's departments and profit-and-loss sheets according to customer affluence levels, rather than product and distribution lines.

The New York Times

At the stores, Hirsch computerized embroidery machines create designs or monograms according to customer specifications, or customers can browse through a library of designs.

The New York Times

Wendy Spirduso, the communications director for Red Lobster, based in Orlando, Fla., said that according to customer surveys, the emotional and economic turmoil of 9/11 has prompted people to reconnect with friends and family through casual dining.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Bill runs Bill's Baked Goods, an online retailer that sells custom made cupcakes- and according to customers they were scrumptious.

Huffington Post

Some customers using their iPads to settle their cable bill or mortgage payment, for example, actually paid twice, according to customers and a bank official.

The New York Times

Intel has made good progress improving the performance of the Itanium chip, according to customers who have worked with prototype systems.

The New York Times

The sales-delivery process of engineer-to-order (ETO) products presents a great potential for design reuse, i.e. the reuse of previously validated design solutions in the design of new product variants according to customer-specific requirements.

Computers in Industry

ITI8 Our firm manages to deliver special products/services flexibly according to customers' orders.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "according to the customer" or "according to customers" for grammatical correctness. Using the correct article or pluralization ensures clarity and avoids misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "the" before "customer" or failing to pluralize "customers" when referring to multiple customers. Always specify "according to the customer" or "according to customers" to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "according to customer" functions as an attributive phrase, indicating the source of information or the basis for a statement. It is used to show that a piece of information comes from a customer or customers. However, Ludwig AI points out that the phrase is grammatically incorrect and needs an article to be correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "according to customer" is used to attribute information or actions to customer input. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect; the proper forms are "according to the customer" (singular) or "according to customers" (plural). The phrase appears in various contexts, including News & Media and Science, indicating a broad range of applications. To improve clarity and maintain grammatical correctness, always include the necessary article or pluralization. Alternatives such as "based on customer feedback" or "as the customer states" can also be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

based on customer feedback

Replaces "according to" with "based on" focusing on feedback as the source of information.

as the customer states

Directly attributes the information to the customer's statement.

in the customer's opinion

Highlights that the information is the customer's subjective viewpoint.

from the customer's perspective

Emphasizes the customer's viewpoint as the source of the information.

customers report that

Indicates that multiple customers have provided the same information.

following customer specifications

Focuses on adherence to customer-defined requirements.

in line with customer requests

Highlights compliance with customer demands or requests.

as per customer instructions

Emphasizes following specific directions from the customer.

customer surveys indicate

Information derived from customer surveys.

customer data shows

Information derived from analysis of customer data.

FAQs

What's grammatically correct, "according to customer" or "according to the customer"?

"According to the customer" is grammatically correct when referring to a specific customer. Use "according to customers" when referring to multiple customers.

How can I rephrase "according to customer" to sound more professional?

Consider using alternatives like "based on customer feedback" or "as the customer states" to maintain a professional tone.

When should I use "according to customers" instead of "according to the customer"?

Use "according to customers" when you are referring to information gathered from multiple customers. Use "according to the customer" when referring to the statement of a single, specific customer.

Are there any synonyms for "according to customer" that emphasize the customer's perspective?

Yes, phrases like "from the customer's perspective" or "in the customer's opinion" highlight that the information reflects the customer's viewpoint.