long-time customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "long-time customer" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who has been a customer of a business for an extended period. Example: "As a long-time customer, I appreciate the consistent quality of your products and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

A new mother, a long-time customer, returned to Penny's Restaurant in Highland Park recently.

The New York Times

"I just got your e-mail, and, as a long-time customer, quite frankly found it to be offensive.

The New York Times

TIM WU, a frequent contributor to the New Yorker, wrote an essay recently about why he, a long-time customer of United Airlines with more than 700,000 miles flown, has decided to "leave" the airline.

The Economist

The beating went on for six to eight minutes, Mr Haque said, before a long-time customer came to his aid and detained Mr Kolvani until the police arrived.

Independent

Like many, Liaw is not just an App Annie investor – he's also a long-time customer.

TechCrunch

"Once an Internet Service Provider gets an e-mail customer, they have a long-time customer that they can integrate with their other services," says Marcel Nienhuis, senior analyst with Radicati Group, a technology market research firm.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

He added that he noticed many long-time customers avoiding his shop during the lunch rush.

The New York Times

But long-time customers began to move away, he said, and new ones seemed to be getting fewer haircuts during the slow economy.

The New York Times

His colleagues also suffer from racial bullying, one of them physically abused by long-time customers the hotel is keen to keep.

The Guardian - Money

to poignant ("Please don't go. All of our children need you")., from long-time customers to children to out-of-towners who have made this citadel of books and bonhomie a destination store.

The New York Times

I need to charge more or limit what I'm writing.' " State laws are supposed to protect long-time customers from losing their insurance; even so, many people in Louisiana report that their insurance policies have been canceled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a "long-time customer", consider mentioning the specific duration of their relationship with your company to add credibility and demonstrate your appreciation for their loyalty. For example, "a customer of over 20 years".

Common error

Avoid using "long time customer" (two words) when you need an adjective describing the customer. "Long-time" (hyphenated) acts as a single adjective modifying "customer", whereas "long time" refers to a duration of time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long-time customer" functions as a noun phrase modifier, where 'long-time' acts as a compound adjective describing the type of customer. It identifies a customer who has maintained a relationship with a business over an extended period, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "long-time customer" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to describe a customer who has been associated with a business for an extended period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and applicability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. The phrase functions as a noun modifier, emphasizing the duration and value of the customer's relationship. When using this phrase, it's important to remember the correct hyphenation ('long-time' as a compound adjective) and consider mentioning the specific duration to enhance credibility. Alternative phrases, such as "established client" or "loyal patron", can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

longstanding client

Similar to "long-time customer" but uses 'standing' to denote duration.

long-term client

Uses 'term' to indicate the extended duration of the customer relationship.

established client

Focuses on the duration and strength of the professional relationship.

regular customer

Emphasizes the habituality of the customer's purchases or engagement.

loyal patron

Emphasizes the customer's faithfulness and repeated business.

dedicated customer

Focuses on customer's commitment and loyalty to the brand.

regular client

Highlights the consistent nature of the customer's interactions.

repeat customer

Focuses on the fact that the customer returns for further business.

valued client

Highlights the importance the business places on the customer.

historic customer

Highlights the lengthy duration of the customer relationship; suitable when it's exceptionally long.

FAQs

How can I use "long-time customer" in a sentence?

You can use "long-time customer" to describe someone who has been a customer for many years. For example, "As a "long-time customer", I have always been satisfied with their service."

What is a more formal alternative to "long-time customer"?

A more formal alternative could be "longstanding client" or "established client", especially in business contexts.

Is it correct to say 'long time customer' instead of "long-time customer"?

While 'long time' refers to a duration, "long-time customer" uses 'long-time' as a compound adjective. Therefore, "long-time customer" is the correct form when describing a customer with an extended history.

What are some other ways to express the idea of a customer who has been with a company for many years?

Besides "long-time customer", you could use phrases like "loyal patron", "repeat customer", or "regular client".