backlog of payments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "backlog of payments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there are outstanding payments that have not yet been processed or settled. Example: "Due to the recent financial difficulties, we are currently facing a significant backlog of payments that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

He has now vowed to donate his backlog of payments to Help For Heroes if the matter is not resolved within a month.

Independent

RBS's chief executive, Stephen Hester, says the actual problem was fixed very quickly, but caused a backlog of payments which is still being dealt with.

The Guardian - Money

Nakheel is one of the more exposed of Dubai's corporations, with a US$3.5bn issue of sukuk (Islamic fixed-income securities) falling due at the end of 2009 and a heavy backlog of payments owed to international contractors and consultants.

The Economist

However, the backlog of payments is still being worked out, our correspondent adds.

BBC

"I can confirm that we are making progress to clear the backlog of payments and I'm cautiously optimistic that RBS and NatWest customer account balances will be largely back to normal from tomorrow," said Susan Allen, director of customer service at RBS Group.

BBC

"All customers have now been automatically refunded, however customers can check their statements and get in touch with their banks if required". In July one of the UK's money transferring services had to deal with a backlog of payments after a system failure.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The backlog of deferred payments will amount to £82m and must start to be paid off from the start of next year.

The Guardian - Business

LUIS CEREZO's eyes welled up as he awaited the outcome of his latest attempt to resolve the 18-month backlog of mortgage payments he owes on the town house in Elizabeth where he and his wife and son have lived for the last 16 years.

The New York Times

The Bank of England did not admit the shutdown had taken place for more than five hours after the system had been due to open, and was later forced to extend opening hours by four hours to 8pm to clear the backlog of 143,000 payments.

The Guardian - Business

In the proposed mandate, 2016 budget rapporteur José Manuel Fernandes (EPP, PT) recalls the three institutions' pledge (attached to the mandate) to avoid again building up a backlog of delayed payments to beneficiaries of EU programmes.

European Parliament

Admittedly, because of the huge backlog of all sorts of payments and the use of barter both caused by tight monetary policy it still does not look normal enough.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing a "backlog of payments", specify the cause if known (e.g., "a backlog of payments due to a system error").

Common error

Avoid using "backlog of payments" when referring to pending orders for goods or services. Instead, use "order backlog" or "backlog of orders".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "backlog of payments" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific problem or situation involving accumulated unpaid financial obligations. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "backlog of payments" is a grammatically sound and usable term to describe an accumulation of unprocessed or delayed payments. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the examples show its prevalence in contexts such as news and formal business settings. When using the phrase, providing context about the cause of the backlog enhances clarity. While "backlog of payments" effectively conveys the issue of accumulated unpaid financial obligations, alternatives like "outstanding payments" or "delayed payments" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding payments

Focuses on the payments that are still due and haven't been settled.

delayed payments

Highlights the lateness of the payments.

accumulated arrears

Emphasizes the increasing accumulation of unpaid debts.

payment deficit

Indicates a shortage or gap in the payments made.

unsettled invoices

Specifically refers to unpaid invoices that contribute to the backlog.

overdue remittances

Highlights the delay in sending money or payments.

arrears in payment

Emphasizes the state of being behind in scheduled payments.

payments in suspense

Suggests that the payments are being held or delayed.

unpaid dues

Refers to fees or debts that have not been paid.

outstanding balance

Focuses on the total amount that remains to be paid.

FAQs

What does "backlog of payments" mean?

A "backlog of payments" refers to an accumulation of payments that have not been processed or settled, often due to delays or system issues. It indicates that there are outstanding financial obligations that need to be addressed.

What are some alternatives to saying "backlog of payments"?

You can use alternatives such as "outstanding payments", "delayed payments", or "accumulated arrears" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "backlog of payments"?

Yes, "backlog of payments" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in English to describe a situation where payments have accumulated and not yet been processed.

How does a "backlog of payments" differ from a simple delay in payment?

While a delay in payment refers to a single instance of lateness, a "backlog of payments" implies a larger, more systemic issue where multiple payments are outstanding, creating an accumulation that needs to be resolved.