One-off payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "One-off payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a single payment made for a service or product, rather than a recurring payment. Example: "The subscription fee is a one-off payment, so you won't have to worry about monthly charges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All for a one-off payment of just $67£5050).

The Guardian

It is a one-off payment that is not repeated.

The Guardian - Money

Under HSBC's latest plan, Flint's bonus would be limited to a one-off payment of £1.06m.

The Guardian - Business

The budget does contain a one-off payment of £750m for health and education.

The Economist

In the NHS every operation a hospital performs leads to a one-off payment.

The Guardian

According to a report earlier this month, she asked for a one-off payment of €540m.

The Guardian

The one-off payment should push it back to its usual quarterly profit levels.

The Guardian - Tech

Claims that it will be a one-off payment are no guarantee.

The Guardian - Money

For a one-off payment of £2 million they controlled their schools in perpetuity.

The Guardian - Opinion

This one-off payment guarantees owners one week's annual use of the residence in perpetuity.

The Guardian - Money

Mr McGowan's clients agreed not to challenge the law thanks in part to the promise of the one-off payment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing financial agreements or transactions, use "one-off payment" to clearly indicate that the payment is not recurring. This avoids confusion and ensures clarity in contractual language.

Common error

Avoid using "one-off payment" when referring to payments that are part of a structured installment plan. An installment is a fraction of a larger debt, a "one-off payment" is the entire debt paid at once.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one-off payment" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adjective before another noun (e.g., "one-off payment solution"). Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. It describes a single, non-recurring payment, setting it apart from recurring charges or installment plans.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one-off payment" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term to describe a single, non-recurring payment. According to Ludwig, it's widely accepted and used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and science. The term clearly distinguishes a single transaction from recurring subscriptions or installment plans. While alternatives like "single payment" or "lump sum payment" exist, they subtly shift the emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the payment's nature to avoid ambiguity. In conclusion, "one-off payment" is a versatile and reliable phrase for conveying payment specifics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Single payment

Emphasizes the singularity of the payment.

Lump sum payment

Highlights the payment being a consolidated amount.

One-time charge

Focuses on the charge being non-recurring.

Non-recurring payment

Formally states the payment will not happen again.

Isolated payment

Stresses the payment's independence from other transactions.

Unique payment

Highlights the distinctiveness of the payment.

Solitary payment

Emphasizes the payment being the only one.

Once-only payment

Similar to "one-off", but less common.

Terminal payment

Suggests the payment is the final one in a series or arrangement.

Spot payment

Emphasizes immediacy, often implying cash.

FAQs

How can I use "one-off payment" in a sentence?

You can use "one-off payment" to describe a single, non-recurring payment for goods or services. For example, "The subscription fee is a "one-off payment", so you won't have to worry about monthly charges."

What is the difference between a "one-off payment" and a subscription?

A "one-off payment" is a single payment made for a product or service, whereas a subscription involves recurring payments at regular intervals (e.g., monthly or annually) for continued access or service.

What can I say instead of "one-off payment"?

You can use alternatives like "single payment", "lump sum payment", or "one-time charge" depending on the context.

Is "one-off payment" formal or informal?

"One-off payment" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in business, news, and general communication to clearly indicate a non-recurring payment.