distinguished clients

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "distinguished clients" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to customers or clients of a company who are highly esteemed, respected, or important. For example, "Our company is proud to serve our distinguished clients in the luxury goods retail industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Evidence suggests that HSBC and other global banks also performed similar services for various combinations (depending on the bank) of Hamas, North Korea, Sudan, Gaddafi's Libya, Hezbollah, African warlords, ex-dictators, drug cartels, and banks linked to al-Qaida, among other distinguished clients.

The Guardian - Opinion

Salesmen purred around me while bolt after bolt of glorious fabric flicked by under my nose, on the walls were portraits of distinguished clients and, throughout, there was that air of seriousness that the English assume whenever they participate in something essentially unserious.

Forbes

The social workers distinguished clients who were " fit to work" from those, who had additional needs, like addiction problems and/or health problems and who were " far away from the labour market" and needed other solutions, taking more time.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"The opinion of the dealer expressed after his distinguished client had left was that the lady seems to have POW completely under her thumb".

The Guardian

A small web company called RealNames is expected to soon announce that its adding Ford, Volvo, Federal Express, eToys and Disney to its distinguished client list, which already includes BarnesandNoble.com, Beyond.com, ebay, OfficeDepot.com and InsWeb.

Forbes

Desperate to move both Ewing and Rice, two of his most distinguished and disgruntled clients, Falk has worked with all three teams to find a suitable deal.

The New York Times - Sports

New York, for all its reputation as the capital of the bottom line, has had a distinguished history of great clients.

The New York Times

Of course there are the international celebrities, but there is also the famed Senator's Table reserved for our distinguished long-time local clients.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

World-Check's Terrorism and Insurgency Research Unit Head John Solomon boasted in 2007 that the system had "a distinguished record of alerting its clients to terrorists and their supporters prior to their inclusion in official government lists".

Vice

Mr. Douglas's lawyer, Nicholas M. De Feis, would say only that he and his client were "gratified that such a distinguished group of practitioners and experts have taken an interest in the case".

The New York Times

In Harley Granville-Barker's 1905 play, "The Voysey Inheritance," the main tradition in a distinguished family investment firm is the fraudulent bilking of its clients, a heritage in which trust is hypocritically cultivated.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When highlighting the importance of clients, use "distinguished clients" to convey their high standing and value to your organization. This phrase is suitable for formal communications and marketing materials.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguished clients" in casual or informal settings. The phrase carries a formal tone and may sound out of place in everyday conversation. Use simpler terms like "important clients" or "key clients" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguished clients" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "distinguished" modifies the noun "clients". It is used to describe a specific group of customers or patrons who are highly regarded or esteemed.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguished clients" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, although Ludwig identifies it as being relatively rare in occurrence. It is used to refer to customers who are highly esteemed, respected, or important. While it is most appropriate for formal business settings and marketing contexts to convey prestige, it may be less suitable for informal communication. Consider using alternatives like "prestigious clients" or "valued clients" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Honorable clients

Replaces "distinguished" with "honorable", emphasizing the clients' integrity and ethical standing.

Prestigious clients

Focuses on the high status and reputation of the clients.

Eminent clients

Highlights the clients' prominence and recognition in their respective fields.

Illustrious clients

Emphasizes the clients' achievements and celebrated status.

Respected clients

Highlights the positive regard and esteem held for the clients.

Esteemed clients

Similar to "respected", but with a slightly more formal tone.

Valued clients

Focuses on the importance and worth the company places on the clients.

Prominent clients

Emphasizes the clients' visibility and influence.

Notable clients

Highlights that the clients are worthy of attention and recognition.

Select clientele

Implies a carefully chosen and exclusive group of clients.

FAQs

How can I use "distinguished clients" in a sentence?

You can use "distinguished clients" to describe a group of highly esteemed or important customers. For example, "Our firm is proud to serve a diverse portfolio of "distinguished clients" in the financial sector."

What are some alternatives to "distinguished clients"?

Some alternatives to "distinguished clients" include "prestigious clients", "eminent clients", and "esteemed clients". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "distinguished clients" in all business contexts?

While "distinguished clients" is generally appropriate for formal business communications, it may not be suitable for all contexts. Consider your audience and the overall tone of your message. In more casual settings, alternatives like "key clients" or "valued clients" might be more appropriate.

What qualities make a client "distinguished"?

A client might be considered "distinguished" due to their reputation, influence, achievements, or the high regard in which they are held. The term suggests that the client is not only important to the business but also recognized for their excellence in their field.