belated payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "belated payment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a payment that is made after the due date. Example: "We regret to inform you that a belated payment has been received for your invoice dated last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Congress voted a belated payment after 18 years of peace, and a Cadillac dealer on Queens Boulevard advertised "Special Buddy Prices," for those who are using bonus money to buy a used car.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The belated tax payments help explain delays in the confirmation of Mr. Daschle, a former Senate Democratic leader who had been expected to win swift approval.

The New York Times

The telephone complications are among the latest round of problems that have left beneficiaries with large belated premium payments.

The New York Times

On October 11 the new president announced a new economic program based on the freeing of prices, the privatization of land and property, and a monetary reform that would see the belated introduction of a new currency, the hryvnya, and prompt payment of salaries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Happy (belated) Limerick Day!

The New Yorker

Happy belated birthday, Abe.

The New York Times - Arts

Happy belated birthday, bitcoin.

The Washington Post

If belated, by decades.

The New York Times - Books

A belated happy birthday, Jack.

Stanford University

So belated happy birthday, George.

The New York Times

Albeit nine years belated.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "belated payment", ensure the context clearly indicates why the payment was delayed and avoid blaming the payer.

Common error

Avoid using "belated payment" when the payment was never expected or required in the first place; the term implies a delay, not a waiver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "belated payment" functions as a noun phrase, specifically as a compound noun where "belated" modifies "payment". It describes the status of a payment.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "belated payment" refers to a payment made after its due date. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is categorized as a noun phrase and is primarily used in news and media contexts. While "belated payment" is less common than alternatives like "late payment", it adds a nuance of unexpectedness or significant delay. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for the delay and its implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

late payment

More direct and common way to say that a payment has been made after the scheduled date.

overdue payment

Indicates that the payment deadline has passed and payment is now required.

delayed payment

Similar to 'late payment' but emphasizes the fact that it was expected earlier.

past due payment

A payment which has not been done and the deadline has passed.

payment after the due date

A more descriptive and less concise way of stating a "belated payment".

tardy payment

Highlights the slowness or delay in making the payment; less common.

payment made in arrears

A more formal term that specifies that the payment covers a period already elapsed.

subsequent payment

A payment made at a later time, but could imply that the payment has been made at a fixed time (monthly, quarterly, annually etc).

eventual payment

Emphasizes that payment was made at some later point, after delay or difficulty.

payment following a delay

Very detailed and not commonly used, highlights the preceding delay. Also, it's less concise.

FAQs

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

You might say, "We received a "belated payment" for the invoice dated last month, and the account is now up to date".

What's the difference between "belated payment" and "late payment"?

"Late payment" is more direct and common, while ""belated payment"" implies a more significant delay or that the payment was unexpectedly late.

Are there more formal alternatives to "belated payment"?

Yes, in a formal context, you could use "payment made in arrears" to indicate the payment covers a past due period.

What's a common mistake to avoid when using "belated payment"?

Avoid using ""belated payment"" if the payment was forgiven or never expected, as it implies a delay rather than an omission.