Make check payable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Make check payable to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when instructing someone on how to fill out a check, specifying the recipient's name. Example: "Please make check payable to John Smith." Alternative expressions include "Payable to," "Make the check out to," and "Address the check to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Make check payable to Princeton Club of Minnesota.

Harvard University

Make check payable to Superintendent of Documents.

Los Angeles Times

Please make check payable to: CCE Albany County.

Cornell University

Please make check payable to Burke Neurological Institute.

Cornell University

Please make check payable to New York-Presbyterian Fund, Inc. and include on the memo line: "In Memory of Karen Portanier".

The New York Times

Please make check payable to: Anne O'Hare McCormick Memorial Fund Inc., a tax-exempt charitable entity, Important: on check memo, please designate "Joan O'Sullivan Scholarship".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Make checks payable to Stanford University.

Stanford University

Please make checks payable to: Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The New York Times

"Make checks payable to Unity College," it reads.

The Washington Post

Please make checks payable to Columbia University.

Columbia University

Please make checks payable to Yale University.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always provide the full legal name of the intended recipient when instructing someone to "Make check payable to" avoid confusion and ensure proper processing by the bank.

Common error

Avoid using abbreviations or informal names when instructing someone to "Make check payable to". Use the full legal name to prevent the bank from rejecting the check.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Make check payable to" functions as an imperative, directing someone to write the name of the intended recipient on the check. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in various formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Academia

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Science

6.666666666666667%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Make check payable to" is a grammatically sound and generally common imperative phrase used to instruct someone on how to properly fill out a check. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently encountered in academic and news contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide the full legal name of the recipient and avoid abbreviations. Alternatives include "Write check to" or "Address check to". Following these guidelines ensures clarity and accuracy in financial transactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make out check to

Common alternative for instructing how to complete a check.

Write check to

Simplified instruction, focusing on the act of writing.

Issue check to

Emphasizes the act of formally issuing a check.

Address check to

Focuses on correctly addressing the check to the intended recipient.

Pay to the order of

More formal and traditional phrasing used on checks.

Fill out check to

Highlights the action of completing the check with the recipient's name.

Indicate payee as

Highlights indicating the recipient or payee on the check.

Designate payment to

Focuses on directing the payment towards a specific recipient.

To whom should the check be payable

More formal phrasing asking about the check's recipient.

Who should the check be made out to

Phrased as a question about the check's recipient.

FAQs

What does "Make check payable to" mean?

It means to write the name of the person or organization who should receive the money on the "Pay to the order of" line of a check.

Is it okay to abbreviate the name when I "Make check payable to" someone?

It's generally best to use the full legal name of the recipient to avoid any issues with the bank. Using abbreviations can sometimes cause the check to be rejected.

What if I don't know the exact legal name of the recipient when I "Make check payable to"?

Try to confirm the correct legal name. If it's an organization, check their website or official documents. If it's an individual, politely ask them for the name they prefer to have on the check.

What's an alternative to saying "Make check payable to"?

You can use phrases like "Write the check to", "Address the check to", or "Pay to the order of" depending on the context. Alternatives such as "Write the check to", "Address the check to", or "Pay to the order of".