franking

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'franking' is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of postage and mailing, specifically referring to the process of marking a piece of mail with a stamp or other official indicator to show that the postage has been paid. Example: I need to make sure to frank all of these letters before dropping them off at the post office.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a company is paying the full 30% company tax rate, a "fully franked" dividend of 70 cents per share will be accompanied by a franking credit of 30 cents per share, representing the tax that the company has paid on its $1 per share of pre-tax profits.

The Guardian

Pitney Bowes, which makes products related to post, such as sorters and franking machines, could see demand for its services rise if the delivery week is cut short, says its chief financial officer, Michael Monahan.

The Economist

All major post offices now use electrically operated stamp-canceling machines, as well as franking machines.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prepayment is ordinarily made by means of postage stamps, franking machine impression, or printed indication of postage paid; payment is not usually required of the addressee.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Anglezarke (33-1) runs well above her best in third, in the process franking the form of her Haydock conqueror Ialysos who will line up in the Golden Jubilee.

The Guardian - Sport

By contrast, foreign investors do not benefit from franking credits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Byron believed Portsmouth a prize "fool of an earl" but not insane, pointing out that he'd spent the last 45 years "voting, franking, marrying, convicting thieves on his own evidence and similar pastimes which are the privileges of Sanity".

The Guardian - Books

The manager of opposition business, Tony Burke, has asked the Speaker, Tony Smith, to consider allowing a motion to refer Tim Wilson to the privileges committee over his handling of the franking credit inquiry.

The Guardian

Labor's election policy, branded a "retirement tax" by the government, aims to stop tax refunds to self-funded retirees who pay no tax but who are entitled to claim a refund for franking credits on shares.

The Guardian

When companies pay dividends to Australian shareholders out of after-tax profit, shareholders receive franking credits, which they can claim as a tax deduction.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labor has pushed to refer Liberal MP Tim Wilson to the privileges committee over politicisation of a parliamentary inquiry into the opposition's franking credit policy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When dealing with postal matters, ensure the "franking" mark is clear and conforms to postal service standards to avoid delays or rejection.

Common error

Avoid confusing "franking", which relates to postage or tax credits, with "ranking", which refers to ordering or position. Always check the context to ensure the correct term is used.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "franking" is as a noun, referring to a device or marking used for postage. It also functions as a verb, the present participle of "frank". Ludwig AI confirms this dual role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "franking" is a term with dual meanings, primarily functioning as a noun relating to postage and tax systems, and secondarily as a verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's most commonly encountered in news and media contexts, with encyclopedias providing detailed definitions. The key is to differentiate between its postal and financial applications. For postal contexts, ensure clear markings to avoid issues; for financial matters, understand the implications of dividend imputation. While the term is prevalent, confusing it with similar-sounding words like "ranking" should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postal franking

More precise description of the usage of franking in the postal service context.

postmarking

Specifically refers to marking mail with a postal mark, often indicating date and location.

postage payment

Focuses specifically on the act of paying for postage, rather than the broader process of marking or authorizing mail.

prepaid postage

Emphasizes that the postage has been paid in advance.

mail authorization

Highlights the act of authorizing mail for delivery, abstracting from the specific method used.

official stamping

Emphasizes the application of an official stamp, commonly used in postal services.

postal validation

Focuses on the act of validating mail, implying that it meets postal requirements.

dividend imputation

Refers to the tax system context where company tax is attributed to shareholders.

tax credit allocation

Highlights the allocation of tax credits in a corporate tax system.

mail processing

Broadly describes the handling of mail, including marking and sorting.

FAQs

How is "franking" used in the context of postage?

"Franking" in postage refers to marking mail to indicate postage has been paid, often using a postage stamp or a "franking machine".

What does "franking" mean in relation to corporate tax?

In corporate tax, "franking" refers to a system where company tax may be attributed to shareholders as a tax credit, reducing income tax payable on dividends. This is also called "dividend imputation".

Which is correct: "franking machine" or "stamping machine"?

"Franking machine" is the correct term for a machine that imprints postage onto mail. A "stamping machine" is more general and could refer to various types of stamping.

What's the difference between "franking" and "prepaid postage"?

"Franking" is the process of marking mail to show postage payment, while "prepaid postage" simply indicates that the postage has been paid in advance, regardless of the marking method.