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English preposition guide

“to term” or “in term” ?

“In term” appears in limited contexts such as British school schedules. “To term” is usually a verb expression, not a noun phrase.

Quick answer

Which form is correct?

Use “in term” mainly in British English to mean “during the school or university term”. Use “in terms of” to discuss aspects or categories. “To term” is usually part of the verb phrase “to term something”, meaning “to name or describe it”.

Students may stay on campus in term.
The plan is expensive in terms of time and money.
Experts refused to term the change a failure.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
in term

Talking about academic periods

In British English, “in term” means during the active school or university term.

Libraries stay open late in term.
2
in terms of + topic

Comparing or evaluating something

Use “in terms of” to discuss a particular aspect.

The project succeeded in terms of cost but not speed.
3
term + noun

Using term as a noun

The noun term often refers to a period, condition, or word.

The contract lasts for a five-year term.
4
to term + object + noun/adjective

Using term as a verb

As a verb, term means “to call” or “to describe”.

Critics refused to term the film a success.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
to term
Researchers declined to term the result definitive.
Correct when term is a verb meaning “describe or name”.
in term
Accommodation is cheaper in term than during holidays.
British English expression meaning during the academic term.
in terms of
The idea works well in terms of efficiency.
Very common expression for discussing aspects or categories.
term of
The term of the agreement is three years.
Formal noun phrase meaning the duration of something.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using “to term” as a noun phrase

“To term” is usually a verb structure, not a preposition before the noun term.

✕ We discussed the to term. ✓ We discussed the term.

Confusing “in term” and “in terms of”

“In term” relates to academic schedules, while “in terms of” introduces a category or aspect.

✕ The plan failed in term of cost. ✓ The plan failed in terms of cost.

Using “in term” outside academic contexts

Outside school or university schedules, “in terms of” is often the intended phrase.

✕ The software improved in term speed. ✓ The software improved in terms of speed.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Students usually return to campus ___ in September.
2. The proposal is effective ___ efficiency.
3. The editor refused ___ the article misleading.

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Frequently asked questions

Is “in term” correct English?

Yes, mainly in British English, where it means during the school or university term.

What is the difference between “in term” and “in terms of”?

“In term” refers to academic time periods. “In terms of” introduces a category, aspect, or comparison.

Can “term” be a verb?

Yes. “To term something” means to name or describe it in a particular way.

to, amount, in, amount, of, amount "to availability" or "of availability"? "to bed" or "in bed"? "to bit" or "by bit"? "to bottom" or "at bottom"? to, by, from, with or of ear? "to charity", "for charity" or "of charity"? "to coast" or "from coast"? "to cycle" or "of cycle"? "to deal" or "of deal"? "to debut" or "on debut"? "to editor" or "of editor"?

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