delayed payment

USAGE SUMMARY

"delayed payment" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about a payment that was not made on the expected date. For example, "The customer's delayed payment caused a cashflow problem for the business."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When the delayed payment was the smallest ($10.75), only 23% of the overall sample chose the delayed payment.

BMC Geriatrics

This delayed payment to the next tax year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Two burial teams in the western area went on strike this week over delayed payment.

The Guardian

Some employers have withheld passports or delayed payment of wages for months.

The New York Times - Arts

For every hour she delayed payment, another £50 was added to the bill.

Independent

Nonetheless, forbearances have become routine because, from just about every point of view, delayed payment beats default.

The New York Times

When the produce supplier first received a delayed payment from the restaurateur, for example, he should have communicated that because of his own financial obligations, he could accept delayed payment only under extraordinary circumstances and only for a limited time.

Harvard University

In response, suspicious insurance companies have begun investigating them and have delayed payment on their legitimate bills.

The New York Times

Dunfermline also delayed payment of wages in full to their players and staff after feeling the impact of Rangers' predicament.

Independent

The organisation blamed its demise on a policy of delayed payment by the Legal Services Commission [LSC], which runs the legal aid system in England and Wales.

The Guardian

Marlborough also delayed payment to the estate of nearly $6 million raised from the 1994 sale of 39 Schwitters works to a German museum.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial agreements, clearly specify the consequences of a "delayed payment", such as late fees or interest charges.

Common error

Avoid using "deferred payment" when you simply mean the payment was late. "Deferred" implies a prior agreement to postpone, while "delayed" simply means it didn't arrive on time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delayed payment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. As seen in Ludwig, it describes a situation where a payment is not made on time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

32%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "delayed payment" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase used to describe a payment that is not made on time. According to Ludwig, it functions to inform or describe situations where payments are overdue across various domains, including news, science, and academia. While often used interchangeably with terms like "late payment" or "overdue payment", it is important to distinguish it from "deferred payment", which implies a pre-arranged postponement. The phrase’s neutral register allows for broad application, but clear communication of consequences and avoidance of confusion with similar terms are key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Late payment

Refers to a payment made after the due date, similar to "delayed payment" but emphasizes the lateness.

Overdue payment

Indicates a payment that is past its due date and should have already been made.

Deferred payment

Suggests a formal agreement to postpone the payment to a later date.

Payment arrears

Refers to the accumulated amount of payments that are overdue.

Outstanding payment

Indicates a payment that is still owed and has not been settled.

Payment delay

Focuses on the act of delaying a payment, rather than the state of the payment itself.

Postponed payment

Similar to deferred payment, indicating a deliberate rescheduling of the payment.

Extended payment terms

Highlights the agreement that provides more time to pay.

Payment deferral

Synonymous with "deferred payment", stressing the act of postponing.

Late remittance

A more formal term for a payment that has been sent late.

FAQs

What are the consequences of a "delayed payment"?

The consequences of a "delayed payment" can vary, including late fees, interest charges, damage to credit scores, or even legal action depending on the agreement.

How can I request a "delayed payment"?

To request a "delayed payment", communicate proactively with the creditor, explain the reason for the delay, and propose a revised payment schedule. Document any agreements made.

What's the difference between a "delayed payment" and a "deferred payment"?

A "delayed payment" is simply a payment that is late. A "deferred payment" is a payment that has been formally postponed to a later date, often with an agreement between the parties involved.

What can I do if I'm experiencing frequent "delayed payment" issues from clients?

If you frequently experience "delayed payment" issues, consider implementing stricter payment terms, sending reminders, or using invoicing software with automated follow-ups. You might also offer early payment discounts or consider legal options if necessary.