When to use "short term" and "in the short term" according to the context.
As an adjective before a noun, use "short-term" (with a hyphen), not "in the short term:"
James has a short-term contract.
James has an in the short term contract.
As an adverbial phrase, to describe a verb, we generally use "in the short term." It sounds more formal and precise:
Our project is funded in the short term.
If you're describing a noun like "strategy" or "investment," you would use "short-term." If you are specifying when something will occur or last, then you would use "in the short term."
In some contexts, the shorter phrase (short term) can be used to offer a more colloquial and direct way to refer to a limited time frame:
Investors often think short term, focusing on immediate gains.
When used as an introductory phrase, "in the short term" is much more common and generally recommended, especially in formal and semiformal writing.
In the short term, the company expects to see significant growth in the renewable energy sector.
Short term, the company expects to see significant growth in the renewable energy sector.
Apply the same approach to the phrases "medium term"/"in the medium term" and "long term"/"in the long term."
