Long-term or longterm is a common spelling question, especially when you are writing about time periods, future plans, goals, or lasting effects. If you have ever wondered whether to write long-term with a hyphen or longterm as one word, you are not alone. The correct form depends on standard English usage and the grammatical position of the phrase.
In modern English, long-term is the standard spelling when the expression works as an adjective before a noun. For example, you can write “a long-term plan,” “a long-term relationship,” or “a long-term investment.” The hyphen helps show that long and term work together to describe the following noun.The form longterm is generally not standard in formal English. You may occasionally see it in informal writing, but it should usually be avoided in professional writing, academic writing, and business communication.
It is also important to understand when long term should be written without a hyphen. When the phrase functions as a noun or follows certain verbs and prepositions, the unhyphenated form is normally preferred. Understanding this simple distinction can help you write more clearly and avoid common English spelling mistakes.
Is “Long-Term” or “Longterm” Correct?
Long-term is the standard spelling when the phrase describes a noun.
For example:
- long-term goals
- long-term plans
- long-term effects
- long-term relationship
- long-term solution
- long-term investment
- long-term strategy
Cambridge Dictionary lists long-term as an adjective meaning something that continues for a long time into the future. Its examples include phrases such as long-term unemployment, long-term care, and long-term effects.
By contrast, longterm is generally not the standard spelling in US English.
So, if you’re writing a formal email, school assignment, business document, website article, or professional report, don’t normally write:
We need a longterm solution.
Write:
We need a long-term solution.
The hyphen isn’t decorative. It joins long and term so they function together as one descriptive unit.
Long-Term vs. Long Term
The real comparison isn’t simply long-term vs. longterm.
There’s a third form you need to understand:
long term
Both long-term and long term can be correct. Their grammatical roles are different.
| Form | Typical function | Example |
| long-term | Compound adjective | We need a long-term solution. |
| long term | Noun phrase | The decision will help in the long term. |
| longterm | Generally nonstandard | Avoid this spelling in standard US English. |
The easiest way to remember the distinction is this:
Before a noun → long-term
As a noun phrase → long term
For example:
She has a long-term plan.
Here, long-term describes the noun plan. The two words act together as one compound modifier.
Now compare it with:
Her plan should work in the long term.
Here, long term doesn’t directly modify another noun. It functions as a noun phrase within the expression in the long term.
That small grammatical difference explains most of the confusion.
When to Use “Long-Term”
Use long-term when the phrase comes before a noun and describes that noun.
In this position, long-term acts as a compound adjective.
Long-Term Goals
Correct:
Setting long-term goals can help you stay focused.
Here, long-term describes goals.
Incorrect in standard usage:
Setting longterm goals can help you stay focused.
The same rule applies to similar expressions:
- long-term objectives
- long-term priorities
- long-term ambitions
- long-term targets
- long-term plans
Long-Term Effects
Correct:
The researchers examined the long-term effects of the treatment.
Again, long-term comes immediately before the noun effects.
Cambridge Dictionary specifically gives long-term effects as an example of the adjective’s standard use.
You can use the same pattern with:
- long-term consequences
- long-term benefits
- long-term risks
- long-term changes
- long-term results
- long-term impact
Long-Term Relationship
Correct:
They have been in a long-term relationship for many years.
The phrase long-term tells the reader what kind of relationship you mean.
The same structure appears in:
- long-term friendship
- long-term partnership
- long-term commitment
- long-term agreement
- long-term contract
Long-Term Solution
Correct:
The company needs a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.
The phrase long-term solution means a solution intended to remain useful or effective over an extended period.
This is a particularly common phrase in business, technology, education, healthcare, and everyday writing.
Long-Term Planning
Correct:
Long-term planning can help an organization prepare for future changes.
Here, long-term modifies the noun planning.
You can also write:
- long-term strategy
- long-term development
- long-term growth
- long-term investment
- long-term management
- long-term policy
Merriam-Webster defines long-term as an adjective meaning lasting for a considerable time.
When to Use “Long Term”
Use long term when the phrase functions as a noun rather than directly modifying another noun.
This form commonly appears after prepositions such as in, over, and for.
In the Long Term
This is one of the most common expressions.
Correct:
The changes may save money in the long term.
Here, long term functions as a noun phrase.
Don’t automatically insert a hyphen simply because the words appear together.
The standard expression is:
in the long term
Not:
in the long-term
For the same reason, you generally write:
in the short term
rather than:
in the short-term
Over the Long Term
You can also use long term after over.
For example:
The investment could produce steady returns over the long term.
Another example:
Small improvements can make a significant difference over the long term.
Here, long term refers to an extended period.
For the Long Term
The phrase can also appear after for.
For example:
The company wants to build a product that will succeed for the long term.
However, depending on the sentence, writers may choose long-term before a noun instead:
The company wants to create a long-term strategy.
The grammatical structure determines the form.
Why Does “Long-Term” Have a Hyphen?
A hyphen can connect words that work together as a single modifier.
Consider this sentence:
The company created a long-term strategy.
The words long and term work together to describe strategy. The hyphen signals that connection.
This is called a compound modifier.
The CDC’s Clear Writing guidance explains that hyphens can connect two or more words that describe a noun. It specifically gives long-term effects as an example.
The purpose isn’t to make the sentence look more formal. The hyphen can make the grammatical relationship easier to see.
Compare:
We need a long-term plan.
The reader immediately recognizes long-term as one descriptive unit.
The same principle appears in other familiar expressions:
- well-known author
- full-time employee
- high-quality product
- short-term solution
- long-term strategy
- five-year plan
English uses hyphens in compound modifiers for clarity.
The Position of the Phrase Matters
Compare these sentences:
She developed a long-term strategy.
Her strategy is long term.
The first sentence places the compound modifier before strategy, so long-term is appropriate.
In the second sentence, long term follows the noun and works as a complement rather than a pre-noun compound modifier.
A major writing lesson emerges here:
Don’t decide whether to use a hyphen by looking only at the words. Look at how they function in the sentence.
Is “Longterm” a Word?
Longterm written as one word is generally not the standard spelling in US English.
Standard dictionaries and style guidance distinguish between long-term as an adjective and long term as a noun phrase. Cambridge Dictionary, for example, lists long-term as an adjective and separately identifies long term as a noun phrase in its Business English material.
Therefore, avoid writing:
longterm goals
Use:
long-term goals
Also avoid:
a longterm relationship
Use:
a long-term relationship
The one-word form can appear in informal writing or as an error, but that doesn’t make it the preferred standard spelling.
When accuracy matters, stick with the established forms.
Long-Term in a Sentence
Seeing the phrase in real sentences makes the rule much easier to remember.
Examples With “Long-Term”
She created a long-term career plan.
The company needs a long-term solution.
Exercise can provide long-term health benefits.
They are looking for a long-term partner.
The study examined the long-term effects of the treatment.
We need to consider the long-term consequences.
The organization developed a long-term strategy.
He made a long-term commitment to the project.
In each sentence, long-term comes directly before a noun.
Examples With “Long Term”
Now look at the noun-phrase form:
The change should benefit customers in the long term.
These costs may decrease over the long term.
Think about how the decision will affect you in the long term.
The company wants to remain profitable for the long term.
A temporary solution might create larger problems in the long term.
Notice the pattern.
There isn’t another noun immediately after long term that it needs to describe.
Read More:Time Off or Time-Off: Which Is Correct? Meaning, Usage, and Examples
Long-Term or Longterm in Different Contexts
The easiest way to master the spelling is to look at common phrases.
Long-Term Goals
Correct:
long-term goals
Why?
Because long-term describes the noun goals.
Long-Term Relationship
Correct:
long-term relationship
Here, long-term describes relationship.
Long-Term Effects
Correct:
long-term effects
Here, long-term describes effects.
Long-Term Plan
Correct:
long-term plan
Here, long-term describes plan.
Long Term or Short Term
When the expression works as a noun phrase, both forms usually remain open:
We need to think about the long term.
The short term may be difficult.
Things should improve in the long term.
The company expects challenges in the short term.
But when these phrases directly modify nouns, use the hyphenated forms:
a long-term plan
a short-term problem
This gives you a useful parallel:
| Noun phrase | Compound adjective |
| the long term | a long-term plan |
| the short term | a short-term solution |
| in the long term | long-term effects |
| over the long term | long-term growth |
Long-Term vs. Longterm vs. Long Term
The three forms become much easier to understand when placed side by side.
| Spelling | Standard use | Example |
| long-term | Compound adjective before a noun | a long-term goal |
| long term | Noun phrase | in the long term |
| longterm | Generally not standard | Avoid longterm in formal writing |
This distinction also applies to short-term and short term.
For example:
We need a short-term solution.
But:
The problem may disappear in the short term.
The structure determines the spelling.
Common Mistakes With “Long-Term”
Several mistakes appear repeatedly because English speakers often treat compound phrases inconsistently.
Writing “Longterm” as One Word
Incorrect:
We need a longterm strategy.
Correct:
We need a long-term strategy.
The standard adjective is hyphenated.
Removing the Hyphen Before a Noun
Incorrect:
They created a long term plan.
Preferred:
They created a long-term plan.
The phrase directly modifies plan, so the hyphen helps show that long and term belong together as one modifier.
Adding a Hyphen to “In the Long Term”
Less appropriate:
The decision will help in the long-term.
Standard:
The decision will help in the long term.
Here, long term functions as a noun phrase.
The CDC explains the broader principle clearly: compound modifiers before nouns are commonly hyphenated, while modifiers appearing after the noun generally don’t need the hyphen.
Using One Form Everywhere
Another common mistake is assuming that one spelling must work in every sentence.
For example:
We need a long-term strategy that will work in the long term.
This sentence uses both forms correctly.
The first long-term modifies strategy.
The second long term functions as part of the phrase in the long term.
That’s not inconsistency. It’s correct grammar.
What About “Long-Term” After a Noun?
This point can cause confusion because different style guides and dictionaries may have slightly different preferences for compound modifiers used after nouns.
For example:
The effects were long term.
Here, long term follows effects and functions as a complement.
General hyphenation guidance from the CDC recommends not hyphenating compound modifiers when they come after the noun. Its example contrasts long-term effects with effects that were long term.
However, dictionary and house-style conventions can vary. Some editorial styles preserve established hyphenation more broadly. The University of California’s publishing guidance notes that Webster’s treatment can preserve hyphenation for terms such as long-term in certain contexts.
For ordinary US English writing, the safest practical rule is:
Before a noun: long-term
After a noun: usually long term
For formal publications, follow the style guide required by your organization.
Long-Term vs. Long Run
Long-term and long run are related but aren’t always interchangeable.
Compare:
We need a long-term strategy.
The change should help in the long run.
Long-term usually describes duration or an extended period.
In the long run is an idiomatic expression meaning eventually or when the results are considered over an extended period.
For example:
The repairs will cost more now but save money in the long run.
You wouldn’t normally replace that expression with in the long-term.
Likewise:
The company adopted a long-term strategy.
You wouldn’t normally write:
The company adopted a long-run strategy.
Although long-run can appear in specialized contexts, especially economics, long-term is the normal choice for many everyday descriptive phrases.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term
Long-term has a natural opposite: short-term.
Both follow the same grammatical pattern.
Before a noun
a long-term investment
a short-term investment
a long-term solution
a short-term solution
As noun phrases
in the long term
in the short term
over the long term
over the short term
The rule doesn’t change simply because the adjective changes from long to short.
This parallel structure makes the distinction easier to remember.
Long-Term and Long Term in Professional Writing
The distinction matters particularly in professional and academic writing.
Business documents frequently use expressions such as:
- long-term growth
- long-term investment
- long-term debt
- long-term planning
- long-term agreement
- long-term strategy
- long-term development
Cambridge’s Business English Dictionary uses long-term for concepts involving extended periods, including long-term growth, long-term debt, and long-term investment.
Meanwhile, expressions such as these normally use long term:
- in the long term
- over the long term
- for the long term
Using the correct form makes professional writing look polished without making the sentence unnecessarily complicated.
A Simple Test for Choosing the Correct Form
If you still aren’t sure whether to write long-term or long term, use this quick test.
Step 1: Look at the word after “long-term”
Ask:
Does long-term directly describe a noun?
If yes, use long-term.
- a long-term plan
- the long-term effects
- a long-term goal
- a long-term relationship
Step 2: Check for “in,” “over,” or “for”
If the phrase appears in a structure such as in the long term or over the long term, use the open form.
in the long term
over the long term
for the long term
Step 3: Never automatically close it into “longterm”
If you’re tempted to write longterm, stop and check the sentence.
In standard US English, you will normally need either:
- long-term
- long term
not:
- longterm
A Quick Decision Chart
| If you want to write… | Use… |
| a ___ plan | long-term |
| ___ goals | long-term |
| ___ effects | long-term |
| ___ relationship | long-term |
| ___ strategy | long-term |
| ___ investment | long-term |
| in the ___ | long term |
| over the ___ | long term |
| for the ___ | long term |
| one-word “longterm” | Avoid it |
A Practical Example
Imagine you’re writing about saving money.
You might write:
A long-term financial plan can help you prepare for future expenses.
Here, long-term modifies financial plan.
Later, you could write:
You may not notice the benefits immediately, but they can add up in the long term.
Now long term functions as a noun phrase.
Both forms appear in the same paragraph because they perform different grammatical jobs.
That is the key idea.
The spelling doesn’t change because of meaning alone. It changes because of grammatical function and position.
Conclusion
The correct choice between long-term, long term, and longterm depends on how the phrase is used in a sentence. Long-term is the standard hyphenated form when it acts as a compound adjective before a noun, such as “a long-term strategy.” Long term is generally used when the phrase functions as a noun or appears after a verb or preposition, such as “in the long term.” The one-word spelling longterm is generally not considered standard English and is best avoided in formal writing.Remember the simple rule: before a noun, use “long-term”; in expressions such as “in the long term,” use “long term.” This distinction will help you maintain accurate and professional English in everyday, academic, and workplace writing.
FAQs
Is “longterm” one word?
No. Longterm is generally not the standard spelling in English. Use long-term when it functions as a compound adjective and long term when it functions as a noun phrase.
Is it “long-term” or “long term”?
Both forms can be correct, depending on their grammatical use. Write long-term before a noun, as in “long-term goals.” Write long term when used as a noun phrase, as in “in the long term.”
Is “long-term” hyphenated?
Yes. Long-term is normally hyphenated when it is used as a compound adjective before a noun.
Is “in the long-term” correct?
Usually, no. The standard expression is “in the long term.” For example: “This decision will benefit the company in the long term.”
What is the correct spelling: longterm or long-term?
Long-term is the standard spelling when the phrase modifies a noun. Longterm should generally be avoided.
What is an example of “long-term”?
A correct example is: “She has a long-term career plan.” Here, “long-term” describes the noun “plan.”
What is an example of “long term” without a hyphen?
A correct example is: “This investment could be valuable in the long term.” Here, “long term” is not directly modifying a noun.
Can I use “long-term” in formal writing?
Yes. Long-term is completely appropriate in formal, academic, professional, and business writing when it is used correctly.
What is the difference between “long-term” and “long term”?
Long-term is usually a compound adjective, while long term is generally a noun phrase. Compare “a long-term solution” with “the benefits in the long term.”
Which is correct: longterm goals or long-term goals?
The correct standard form is “long-term goals.” The hyphen connects “long” and “term” because they jointly describe “goals.”
