a single payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a single payment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a one-time financial transaction or fee. Example: "To secure your reservation, please make a single payment of $100."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She will receive a single payment of $44 million.

The New York Times

The borrower had not made a single payment.

The New York Times

The ability to take money out in a single payment was generally limited to executives.

The New York Times

Their support took the form of a single payment, with no strings attached.

The Guardian - Film

The day before in Sacramento, $150,000 came in as a single payment.

The Guardian

Participants are required to make a single payment each month to a designated savings account.

The New York Times

He said the retirees in the class-action case chose a single payment over monthly lifetime checks.

The New York Times

Under the deal, the Libyan government would give a single payment of more than $1.2 billion to the United States.

The New York Times

The bank had been plugging the deficit by annual payments, but is now making a single payment.

The Guardian - Business

Conventional wisdom has ruled out a single payment, which would invite screaming headlines about a 32p basic rate of tax.

Independent

It expands the practice of making a single payment for treating a specific condition rather than paying for each treatment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting with installment plans or recurring payments, "a single payment" effectively highlights the difference.

Common error

Don't assume "a single payment" means a small amount. 'Single' refers to the number of transactions, not the value. Clarify the amount separately to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a single payment" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, providing numerous examples of its application in varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a single payment" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a one-time transaction. Ludwig AI's analysis reveals that this phrase is frequently employed across diverse contexts, especially in news, scientific, and encyclopedia domains. For clearer communication, consider using synonyms like "a one-time payment" or "a lump sum payment" to emphasize the nature of the payment. Always ensure to clarify the exact amount, as 'single' only refers to the transaction's frequency, not its size.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one payment

Simplifies the phrase by removing 'single', maintaining the same meaning.

a one-time payment

Replaces 'single' with 'one-time', emphasizing the occurrence happening only once.

a lump sum payment

Highlights the payment being a consolidated amount rather than in installments.

a complete payment

Similar to 'full payment', indicating the payment is all-inclusive.

a full payment

Suggests the payment covers the entire outstanding amount.

a once-off payment

Uses 'once-off' emphasizing the non-recurring aspect

a consolidated payment

Implies multiple debts or dues are combined into one payment.

a standalone payment

Standalone emphasizes that the payment is not part of a series or recurring schedule

a solitary payment

Uses 'solitary' to emphasize the isolated nature of the payment.

a unique payment

Suggests payment arrangement is not standard

FAQs

How to use "a single payment" in a sentence?

"A single payment" is used to describe a transaction where the entire amount is paid at once. For example, "The company offered "a single payment" of $50,000 to settle the dispute".

What can I say instead of "a single payment"?

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

Which is correct, "a single payment" or "single payment"?

Both "a single payment" and "single payment" can be used, but "a single payment" is more grammatically correct and commonly used in formal writing. "Single payment" is acceptable in less formal contexts.

What's the difference between "a single payment" and "installment payments"?

"A single payment" refers to paying the entire amount at once, while "installment payments" mean paying the amount in smaller, regular portions over a period of time.