check payable to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "check payable to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to specify the recipient of a check. Example: "Please make the check payable to John Smith for the services rendered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

Tickets, $100, are available only in advance, by check payable to the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House.

The New York Times

"To ease mine, the enclosed $100 check, payable to the Los Angeles Dodgers, should wipe the slate clean.

The New York Times - Sports

Afterward, she would erase the payee's name, raise the amount and make the check payable to cash.

The New York Times

Admission is $50; half price for children under 12, by check payable to Guild Hall: (631) 324-500631

The New York Times - Food

Please make check payable to New York-Presbyterian Fund, Inc. and include on the memo line: "In Memory of Karen Portanier".

The New York Times

Advance tickets by June 13, $20, with SASE and a check payable to the Child and Family Agency, Lyme/Old Lyme Garden Tour, P.O.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

(Checks payable to: Staten Island University Hospital Foundation).

The New York Times

Please make checks payable to: Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The New York Times

Checks payable to The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund may be sent to P.O.

The New York Times - Arts

Checks payable to: Department of Maryland MCL Or: Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, P.O.

The New York Times

HOW TO HELP Checks payable to The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund should be sent to P.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions for payment, always specify the exact name or entity to which the "check payable to" should be made. This avoids confusion and potential processing errors.

Common error

Avoid using abbreviations or informal versions of the payee's name. Always use the full legal name of the individual or organization to ensure the check is processed correctly by the bank.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "check payable to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, typically "check" or "payment". It specifies the intended recipient of the funds being transferred via check. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "check payable to" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate the intended recipient of a check. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers examples from diverse sources, including news outlets, wikis, and business documents. While simple, proper usage—like specifying the full legal name—is crucial to avoid errors. Alternatives exist, such as "make check out to", but "check payable to" remains a reliable standard for financial instructions. This phrase has a neutral to professional formality and is important for ensuring accurate payment processing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make check out to

Replaces 'payable to' with 'make out to', a more informal phrasing.

check made out to

Uses a passive voice structure, emphasizing that the check has already been prepared.

write check to

Focuses on the action of writing the check rather than the recipient.

remit payment to

More formal and emphasizes the act of sending payment.

payment directed to

Similar to remit payment, but more passive and directional.

funds transferred to

Broader term that applies to various methods of payment transfer, not just checks.

endorse check to

Refers to the act of signing over a check to someone else.

assign payment to

A formal way of indicating where a payment should be allocated.

issue payment to

Emphasizes the act of issuing a payment, applicable in a business context.

allot funds to

A broader term indicating the allocation of funds, not necessarily through a check.

FAQs

How do I properly instruct someone to fill out the payee line on a check?

Specify the exact legal name of the intended recipient. For example, instead of saying "Make it out to Bob", say "Make the "check payable to" Robert Smith".

What's a more formal way to say "check payable to"?

While ""check payable to"" is already standard, you could use "remit payment to" in very formal contexts. However, ""check payable to"" is generally suitable.

What happens if the "check payable to" line is left blank?

A check with a blank payee line is essentially a bearer instrument and can be cashed by anyone in possession of it. It's crucial to always fill out the payee line to ensure the funds go to the intended recipient.

Is there a difference between "check payable to" and "make check out to"?

No, ""check payable to"" and "make check out to" are essentially interchangeable. Both phrases instruct the payer to write the intended recipient's name on the payee line of the check.