Long term or Long-term: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-12 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: When writing about time, the choice between long term and long-term depends entirely on its grammatical role in the sentence. Use long term as a two-word noun when referring to a distant future or an extended period, such as in the phrase investing in the long term. Conversely, use long-term with a hyphen when it functions as an adjective modifying another noun, like a long-term strategy. This distinction prevents confusion and ensures your writing remains clear and grammatically sound for any audience.

The Short Answer

Long term written as two separate words is the correct noun form used when referring to an extended period of time, such as investing for the long term.

People often confuse these spellings because both forms relate to duration, but the hyphen changes the function from a standalone concept to a descriptor that attaches to another word.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
long term	Noun	Use it when standing alone to describe a distant time frame.
long-term	Adjective	Use it when describing or modifying a specific noun that follows it.
long term	Noun	Common in phrases like 'in the long term' to indicate future outcomes.
long-term	Adjective	Standard in contexts like 'a long-term solution' to define the nature of the noun.

Correct Example Sentences

We hope to see positive results in the long term.
This company focuses on building a long-term reputation with customers.
The policy will take effect in the long term after careful review.
She developed a long-term plan to manage her finances wisely.
Scientists study the impact of climate change in the long term.
A long-term investment requires patience and consistent contributions over years.
The doctor recommended a long-term approach to treat the chronic condition.
Our goal is to maintain high quality standards in the long term.
They avoided making decisions that would have long-term consequences for the team.
The agreement includes a long-term clause to ensure stability for the partnership.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

The project will succeed if we work in the long-term.: The project will succeed if we work in the long term.
She has a long term goal of becoming an expert.: She has a long-term goal of becoming an expert.
We need a long term solution for this problem.: We need a long-term solution for this problem.
In the long-term, the market will recover quickly.: In the long term, the market will recover quickly.
The long term effects of the drug were not studied.: The long-term effects of the drug were not studied.
They made a long term commitment to the organization.: They made a long-term commitment to the organization.

A Quick Test You Can Use

To decide which form to use, ask yourself if the phrase is describing another word or if it stands alone as a concept. If it modifies a noun that follows it, such as plan or goal, the hyphenated adjective form is the correct choice. However, if the phrase acts as the subject or object of the sentence or follows a preposition to describe a general time span, keep the words separate without a hyphen.

Related Word Pairs

High risk vs high-risk: Use high risk when standing alone as a noun and high-risk when describing a specific noun like a situation or level.
Deep sleep vs deep-sleep: Deep sleep is the standard two-word noun phrase, while deep-sleep is rarely used as a hyphenated adjective before another noun.
Full time vs full-time: Use full time when referring to the standard work schedule as a noun and full-time when describing a specific job or employee.
Broad mind vs broad-minded: A broad mind is a noun phrase, whereas a broad-minded person describes someone with a specific open personality trait.
Hard work vs hard-working: Hard work is the noun for effort, while hard-working describes a person who consistently puts in significant effort over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I use long term with two words?

You should use long term with two words when the phrase functions as a noun. This occurs when referring to a distant future or an extended period, often found after prepositions like in or for, such as when discussing plans for the long term.

What is the difference between long term and long-term?

The primary difference is grammatical function. Long term is a two-word noun used to describe a period of time, while long-term is a hyphenated adjective used to modify another noun directly within a sentence.

Can long term be an adjective in any context?

Generally, no. In standard English, long term remains a two-word noun. Using it as an adjective before another noun is incorrect and should be changed to the hyphenated form long-term to maintain proper grammar.

Is it okay to hyphenate long term when it is not an adjective?

No, adding a hyphen is incorrect when the phrase acts as a noun. Hyphenating it in those cases creates a grammatical error because it incorrectly treats a noun phrase as an adjective modifying a following word.