principal customers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "principal customers" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important customers of a business or organization. Example: "Our principal customers include large corporations and government agencies that rely on our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Its printed circuits were custom-built in lots of 1 to 100 for about 20 principal customers and were used for engineering tests and development work.

Harvard Business Review

The principal customers are local traders, though goods are also shipped to Malacca and Muar.

Cornell University

Imagine a commercial enterprise that regarded its principal customers as an awkward inconvenience.

The Guardian - Opinion

The principal customers are now radio dispatch services that operate fleets of vehicles, from taxis to pizza trucks.

The New York Times

Ameritrade's Advanced Clearing unit will execute trades for Principal customers, who will be able to trade stocks and mutual funds online within their retirement plans starting in April.

The New York Times

Jeffrey Schwartz, president and chief executive of Autobytel, said of dealers, "They are our principal customers, and the heartbeat of the company".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The airline is the principal customer for the aircraft manufacture.

Propulsion and Power Research

The unit's principal customer will remain the British government (and the state will retain an ownership stake).

The Economist

But the trouble was the company and this is the real world had as its principal customer the steel industry.

Cornell University

"For some time we have attempted to work for a consensual agreement with Aveos' principal customer," Eugene I. Davis, the chairman of Aveos, said in a statement.

The New York Times

His principal customer, an Iranian state-owned automotive company, Iran Khodro, stopped placing orders because it was having trouble selling cars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a company's main source of revenue, use "principal customers" to clearly identify the group that contributes the most to the business's success.

Common error

Avoid substituting "principle" (a fundamental truth or proposition) for "principal" (main or most important). Always double-check your spelling to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal customers" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the most important clientele of a business or organization. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is used to denote a company's or organization's most significant clients.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal customers" correctly identifies the main clientele of a business or organization. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in professional and news contexts. While synonyms such as "key customers" or "major clients" exist, it's essential to maintain clarity by using "principal customers" when precision is required. Remember to avoid confusing 'principal' with 'principle', as they have distinct meanings. Understanding the concept and the correct usage are vital for effective communication in business and academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main clientele

Replaces "customers" with "clientele", emphasizing a more exclusive or professional relationship.

key customers

Substitutes "principal" with "key", highlighting the importance of the customers.

primary consumers

Replaces "customers" with "consumers", focusing on the act of consuming goods or services.

major clients

Uses "clients" instead of "customers" and "major" instead of "principal", suggesting a business or professional service context.

chief patrons

Employs "patrons" which emphasizes a supportive or loyal customer base and "chief" to reflect significance.

core market

Shifts the focus from individual customers to the overall market segment that is most important.

target demographic

Highlights the specific group of people a business aims to serve, rather than focusing on existing customers.

lead purchasers

Uses "purchasers" instead of "customers", emphasizing the action of buying, and "lead" highlighting top buyers.

significant buyers

Highlights the importance of the buyers.

prime users

Replaces "customers" with "users", focusing on the action of using a product or service, and "prime" to reflect importance.

FAQs

How can I use "principal customers" in a sentence?

You can use "principal customers" to refer to the most important customers of a business. For example: "Our principal customers are large corporations and government agencies."

What's a good alternative to "principal customers"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "key customers", "major clients", or "main clientele".

Is it correct to say "principle customers" instead of "principal customers"?

No, "principle customers" is incorrect. "Principal" refers to the main or most important, while "principle" refers to a fundamental truth or rule. Therefore, the correct phrase is "principal customers".

What is the difference between "principal customers" and "target demographic"?

"Principal customers" refers to a company's current most important customers, while "target demographic" refers to the specific group of people a company aims to attract as customers.