a lump sum payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lump sum payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to refer to a single payment made in full, rather than in installments. Example: "The contractor requested a lump sum payment for the entire project upon completion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Students not eligible for work-study funding will receive a lump sum payment of $1,600.

Cornell University

This stipend can take the form of a lump sum payment or a regular hourly wage.

Cornell University

The three-page summary of the deal given to the board spoke only of a "lump sum payment" to Enron.

The New York Times

With a reverse mortgage, elderly homeowners receive either a lump sum payment or a monthly amount from the lender.

The New York Times

It was worth $46 million in an annuity, or $23,748,052 before taxes in a lump sum payment.

The New York Times

Mr. Ross also took his prize in a lump sum payment of about $61 million, after taxes.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

Bondholders would get a coupon of $4.5 million a year from FedEx and Heisley got a lump-sum payment of $60 million.

Forbes

The employee could elect to receive instead a lump-sum payment.

Harvard University

It had originally hoped to buy out these contracts with a lump-sum payment.

The Economist

Note that a settlement like this requires a lump-sum payment, not a new payment plan.

The Washington Post

Or companies can request a lump-sum payment equal to 30percentt of the construction cost.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial settlements or agreements, use "a lump sum payment" to clearly indicate that the entire amount is paid at once, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "a lump sum payment" when the payment is made in installments. Ensure clarity by specifying the payment schedule if it's not a single, complete transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lump sum payment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. Ludwig examples show its common use in financial and contractual contexts. It denotes a single, full disbursement of funds.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lump sum payment" is a very common noun phrase used to describe a single, full payment, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and business. When writing, ensure you're using the phrase to accurately describe a one-time, complete payment, distinguishing it from installment plans. Related phrases include "a one-time payment" and "payment in full". Being clear on this distinction, as well as using it in the right context and register, is important. It functions to specify the method of payment, emphasizing that the entire amount is paid at once. The high frequency of authoritative sources like The New York Times further supports its broad acceptability and usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A one-time payment

Emphasizes the single instance nature of the payment.

A single payment

Highlights the lack of installments or multiple transactions.

A full payment

Focuses on the completeness of the payment, covering the entire amount due.

A complete payment

Similar to "full payment", stressing the comprehensive nature.

Payment in full

Highlights that no outstanding balance remains after the payment.

A one-off payment

Indicates that the payment is not recurring and happens only once.

A total payment

Stresses that the entire obligation is satisfied in a single transaction.

A bulk payment

Conveys the idea of a large sum being paid at once.

Whole amount paid

Focuses on the entirety of the amount being settled.

A consolidated payment

Suggests that multiple smaller amounts are combined into one payment.

FAQs

What does "a lump sum payment" mean?

A "lump sum payment" refers to a single payment made in full, rather than in installments over time. It covers the entire amount due at once.

How do I use "a lump sum payment" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like: "The winner chose to receive "a one-time payment" instead of annual installments" or "The company offered him "a severance package", including "a lump sum payment".

What are some alternatives to saying "a lump sum payment"?

Alternatives include "a one-time payment", "a single payment", or "payment in full", depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "a lump sum payment" and "payment in installments"?

Yes, "a lump sum payment" is a single, complete payment, while "payment in installments" involves making multiple payments over a period of time.