an immediate payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an immediate payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a payment that is required to be made right away, without delay. Example: "To secure your reservation, we require an immediate payment of the deposit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The utility requested an immediate payment of $934.37, threatening to shut off her gas service.

The New York Times

Many families have received an immediate payment of 20,000 taka to cover basic funeral expenses.

The Guardian

Mineralogy had applied to the supreme court of Western Australia seeking an immediate payment of $48m.

The Guardian

The programme includes an immediate payment of $5bn for general budget support to help stabilise Ukraine's listing economy.

The Guardian

On July 22nd, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had sent a letter to Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, seeking an immediate payment of $225 million.

The New Yorker

So let's dismiss the idle fantasy that the entire thing was designed to trigger an immediate payment of £1m into Jimmy Carr's bank account.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The company also said that it had made a one-time immediate payment to the pension fund of £40 million, in addition to an annual payment of £20 million.

The New York Times

Ms. Pope said some Sysco representatives came to her restaurant during lunch unannounced three years ago and handed her a certified letter demanding immediate payment of a bill that was 120 days overdue.

The New York Times

The company has warned that if it is found guilty of tax evasion, a demand for immediate payment could drive it into bankruptcy.

The New York Times

Sanofi is buying French biotech Fovea for up to 370 million euros ($538 million), including an immediate upfront payment and subsequent milestone payments related to three drugs the privately held company has in development, the firm said in a press release.

Forbes

Because merchants (the buyers) usually retained their assets in banks in a number of trading cities, a shipper of goods (the seller) could obtain immediate payment from a banker by presenting a bill of exchange signed by the buyer (who, in so doing, had accepted liability for payment when due).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting "an immediate payment", clearly state the reason and the consequences of non-payment to avoid confusion or mistrust.

Common error

Avoid using "an immediate payment" when you actually mean a single, non-recurring, or final payment. "Immediate" refers to timing, not quantity or type. Specify "a one-time payment" or "the final payment" if that's your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an immediate payment" functions as a noun phrase, where "immediate" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "payment". It describes the timing of the payment, indicating it is due without delay. Ludwig AI shows it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

16%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an immediate payment" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a payment that is due without delay, as validated by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, the phrase serves to request or describe urgent financial transactions. While direct and clear, it is important to ensure ethical usage by providing clear reasons and consequences for the request. Alternative phrases such as "a swift remittance" or "an instant transfer" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meaning, as detailed above. When using "an immediate payment", be sure to specify the reason and consider whether "immediate" is the right descriptor versus "only" or "final" if those apply better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prompt disbursement

Replaces "payment" with "disbursement", highlighting the act of distributing funds quickly.

a swift remittance

Uses "remittance" to emphasize the sending of money, with "swift" indicating speed.

an instant transfer

Focuses on the method of payment, highlighting the speed of the electronic transfer.

a same-day settlement

Emphasizes the completion of a financial transaction on the same day it's initiated.

a timely reimbursement

Focuses on getting repaid quickly, often for expenses already incurred.

a quick compensation

Highlights the speed of receiving payment as a form of compensation.

an expedited payout

Uses "payout" to refer to the distribution of funds, and "expedited" to emphasize the speed.

a fast settlement

Focuses on the transaction being resolved quickly by paying.

a speedy transaction

Highlights the overall speed of the exchange of money.

a rapid remuneration

Replaces "payment" with "remuneration", a more formal term, while keeping the emphasis on speed.

FAQs

What does "an immediate payment" mean?

The phrase "an immediate payment" refers to a payment that is required to be made right away, without any delay.

When is it appropriate to request "an immediate payment"?

It is appropriate to request "an immediate payment" when you need the funds urgently to secure a service, avoid penalties, or finalize a transaction promptly.

What can I say instead of "an immediate payment"?

You can use alternatives like "a prompt disbursement", "a swift remittance", or "an instant transfer" depending on the context.

Is demanding "an immediate payment" always ethical?

Demanding "an immediate payment" is ethical if it is part of a pre-agreed contract or policy, or if there is a legitimate and urgent reason for it. Transparency is key to ethical requests.