used customer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used customer" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to describe a customer who has previously engaged with a service or product, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "The used customer feedback was invaluable in improving our services."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

In the final week before the bankruptcy, the firm improperly used customer money to stay afloat.

The New York Times

It is unclear whether MF Global officials knowingly used customer money or if they believed the buffer was intact.

The New York Times

The unidentified MF Global employee indicated that Mr. Corzine had known MF Global used customer funds to lend to itself.

The New York Times

Forrester calculated that 4.8 million people, or 37percentt of those who have made purchases on the Web, had used customer services while shopping on the Internet.

The New York Times

Some investigators now believe the firm used customer funds to patch at least some of the hole, which would have been a significant breach of federal law.

The New York Times

While the firm ultimately blew through that buffer, it is unclear when that happened and if MF Global intentionally used customer money.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Quality function deployment (QFD) is becoming a widely used customer-oriented approach and tool in product design.

Computers & Operations Research

Product planning is one of four important processes in new product development (NPD) using quality function deployment (QFD), which is a widely used customer-driven approach.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

QFD is a widely used customer-driven tool for which the success of its applications may be the result of some of its benefits, such as greater customer focus.

Telecommunications Policy

Marketers have used customers in ads before.

Forbes

Amazon uses customer data to give us recommendations based on our previous purchases.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "used customer", consider using clearer and more specific language, such as "returning customer", "previous customer", or "existing customer", depending on the context. For example, "We value our returning customers".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "used customer" as it sounds unnatural and can be misinterpreted. Opt for more direct and easily understandable alternatives that accurately reflect the intended meaning, like "customer data usage" or "customer engagement".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used customer" functions as a verb-noun combination, but its usage is grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is not correct in standard written English. Although it appears in various contexts, it should be replaced with more precise terminology to enhance clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "used customer" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its intended purpose involves describing customer interactions or data application; however, it’s best to avoid this phrasing in favor of more specific and clear alternatives like "returning customer", "utilized customer data", or "previous customer". Doing so ensures professional and precise communication across different registers, including news, science, and business contexts. Always prioritize clarity and accuracy over potentially misleading or awkward phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

returning customer

Focuses on the customer's repeat engagement with a business.

previous customer

Refers to a customer who has engaged with the business in the past.

existing customer

Highlights the customer's current relationship with a business.

utilized customer data

Emphasizes the action of leveraging customer information.

customer feedback used

Highlights the use of customer opinions and suggestions.

leveraged customer insights

Focuses on extracting valuable understanding from customer data.

employed customer strategies

Highlights the implementation of approaches targeting customers.

implemented customer solutions

Focuses on the deployment of solutions designed for customers.

accessed customer information

Highlights the action of retrieving customer details.

served customer needs

Emphasizes fulfilling the requirements of customers.

FAQs

What's a more appropriate way to refer to a customer who has engaged with a business before?

Instead of saying "used customer", consider using terms like "returning customer", "previous customer", or "existing customer" for better clarity.

How can I describe the action of leveraging customer information more effectively?

Rather than "used customer information", phrases such as "utilized customer data" or "leveraged customer insights" are more accurate and professional.

Is "used customer" grammatically correct?

No, "used customer" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to rephrase your sentence using alternatives like those suggested above.

What are some scenarios where I might need to replace the phrase "used customer"?

Any situation where you're referring to a customer who has interacted with your business in the past, or when discussing the act of using customer-related information. In these cases, using terms like "returning customer" or "customer data usage" is preferable.