a token payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a token payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a small amount of money paid to signify a commitment or to fulfill a requirement, often in a contractual context. Example: "To secure the agreement, we made a token payment of $100."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

One day someone who owed $300 settled the debt with a token payment and 350 hubcaps.

The New Yorker

Instead, Garnett will be offering his creditors a token payment of £1 a month.

The Guardian - Money

Except for a token payment of about 4 cents on the dollar approved by the court earlier this summer, those payments had been held up by the dispute.

The New York Times

The deal with Primark increases the pressure on those brands which have not contributed to the fund, or have only made a token payment, to pay up.

The Guardian

Austen has long been used as a token payment, a small proportion of the sum of respect due to the achievement of women in our culture.

The Guardian - Opinion

In 2006, following a campaign calling for the case to be thrown out, the company agreed to accept a token payment of less than $1.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

He adds: "Then I'd keep your current bank informed of your situation, and offer them a small token payment, maybe £1 or £2 a month.

BBC

"In 1993, there were concerns about this being a commercial transaction even though there was only a small token payment being made for these thymus glands and supply of thymus glands then stopped," he added.

The Guardian

The agency accepted a mere token payment that will not even come out of the individual's own pocket.

The New York Times

"We make a small token payment of up to £160, which barely covers the administration costs of the distribution of the letter.

The Guardian

Handling an exact-change or token payment costs the parkway 2.5 cents, but an E-ZPass transaction costs 4.3 cents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or business contexts, consider "a token payment" to demonstrate good faith, even when settling larger debts or disputes.

Common error

Don't assume "a token payment" will fully satisfy a debt or obligation. It's often insufficient and meant only as a gesture.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a token payment" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement, referring to a small, symbolic amount of money. According to Ludwig, it signifies a commitment or fulfills a minor requirement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a token payment" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes a small, symbolic amount of money paid to signify commitment, acknowledge an obligation, or initiate a settlement. According to Ludwig, it's most frequently found in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Wiki contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. While it demonstrates goodwill, it's important to remember it does not often fully satisfy a debt. The phrase has several alternatives, such as "a nominal fee" and "a symbolic contribution", each with slight nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a nominal fee

Focuses on the insignificance of the amount of money involved.

a symbolic contribution

Emphasizes the representative nature of the payment rather than its value.

a peppercorn rent

Specifically refers to a very low rent, often used in legal contexts.

a gesture of goodwill

Highlights the positive intention behind the small payment.

a small remittance

Implies a transfer of funds, but in a limited quantity.

a partial settlement

Suggests the payment covers only a portion of the total debt.

a down payment

Describes an initial payment made when purchasing something on credit.

a retaining fee

A preliminary fee paid to secure services.

an earnest payment

Indicates a sincere intention to fulfill an obligation.

a contingent payment

Dependent payment if certain conditions are met.

FAQs

How can I use "a token payment" in a sentence?

You can use "a token payment" to describe a small amount of money paid as a symbolic gesture. For example, "The company offered "a token payment" of £1 to settle the dispute".

What is the difference between "a token payment" and "a nominal fee"?

"A nominal fee" generally refers to a small charge for a service, while ""a token payment"" signifies a symbolic amount paid to fulfill an obligation or show commitment. The key difference relies on whether the payment is for a service or a gesture.

When is it appropriate to offer "a token payment"?

It's appropriate to offer ""a token payment"" when you want to demonstrate good faith in settling a debt, acknowledge an obligation, or initiate negotiations, even if you cannot afford the full amount immediately.

What are some alternatives to saying "a token payment"?

You can use alternatives like "a nominal fee", "a symbolic contribution", or "a peppercorn rent" depending on the context.