deposit on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deposit on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts involving financial transactions, such as making a payment to secure a service or item. Example: "I made a deposit on the new apartment to secure my lease."

✓ Grammatically correct

Rental agreements

Purchasing items (cars, houses, furniture)

Recycling programs

Financial transactions

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Also, one month's rent will be requested as a deposit on signing of the lease.

Bplans

Make arrangements to pay a deposit on the vehicle if the seller's payment terms required one.

WikiHow

A deposit on all containers and packaging.

Columbia University

You haven't made a deposit on a winter break.

The Guardian - Opinion

A pigeon can still make a deposit on a Ferrari".

The New York Times

Solyndra was trying to deposit on a nonplanar surface.

MIT Technology Review

They forced me to put a deposit on a house.

The Guardian - Sport

He is also accused of placing a deposit on a Vauxhall car.

Independent

"But he's become very pro-environment — he made a deposit on a Model S".

The New Yorker

Innkeepers is also refusing to repay the two firms' $20 million deposit on the deal.

The New York Times

They would clear about $15,000, just enough for a deposit on the restaurant space.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial transactions, clearly specify the purpose of the "deposit on", such as whether it's for a rental, purchase, or service. This prevents misunderstandings about its intended use.

Common error

Avoid using "deposit on" interchangeably with "down payment on". A deposit is often refundable and secures something temporarily, while a down payment is a non-refundable part of the total purchase price.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deposit on" functions as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a noun or verb to specify what the deposit is being placed upon. It's used to indicate the object or service for which a deposit is made, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

23%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deposit on" is a prepositional phrase that is grammatically correct and very commonly used. Ludwig AI affirms its validity. It serves to specify the object or service for which a deposit is being made. While it is generally neutral in register, it is important to distinguish it from similar terms like "down payment on". Common contexts include financial transactions, rental agreements, and purchases. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media sources, followed by Scientific and Wiki sources. For clear communication, always specify the exact purpose of the "deposit on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Down payment on

Focuses specifically on the initial payment made when purchasing an item, especially a house or car.

First payment on

Simply denotes the initial payment in an installment plan.

Initial installment for

Highlights the first payment in a series of payments for a service or product.

Advance payment for

Emphasizes that the payment is made ahead of receiving the goods or services.

Partial payment towards

Indicates that the payment covers only a portion of the total cost.

Upfront cost for

Highlights the costs that must be paid at the beginning of a transaction.

Earnest money for

Commonly used in real estate to show serious intent to purchase.

Security for

Refers to a payment made to protect against potential damages or non-payment, refundable if no issues arise.

Reservation fee for

Payment to hold or reserve something.

Initial investment in

Highlights the start of spending money, effort, or time to make a profit or obtain a benefit.

FAQs

How is "deposit on" typically used in a sentence?

The phrase "deposit on" is generally used to indicate an initial payment made toward securing a service, rental, or purchase. For example, "I made a "deposit on" the apartment to hold it for me."

What are some alternatives to using "deposit on"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "down payment on", "initial installment for", or "advance payment for". Each carries a slightly different nuance regarding the purpose and nature of the payment.

Is it correct to say "security deposit on"?

While not strictly incorrect, it's more common and grammatically concise to say "security deposit for" when referring to a payment that protects against potential damages or non-payment. "Deposit on" can be used more broadly for other types of deposits.

What's the difference between a "deposit on" and a "down payment on"?

A ""deposit on"" is usually a smaller, refundable payment to secure something temporarily. A "down payment on" is a larger, non-refundable portion of the total cost of a purchase.