holding payment

USAGE SUMMARY

"holding payment" is a correct and usable phrase in English.
It can be used when you wish to delay or prevent a payment from being processed. For example, "The company decided to hold payment until the customer provided more relevant information."

✓ Grammatically correct

TechCrunch

Columbia University

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It acts as the middleman, holding payment until the vendor sends shipping confirmation.

TechCrunch

Bidzy's platform sits in the middle, connecting the right customers to the right local services and holding payment until the work is completed – much like TaskRabbit hooks up consumers with time/skills to offer to other consumers (c2c) who have a task that needs doing.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

If you have not done so already, please start the process of securing work authorization through ISSO, as we will be holding payments until work authorization is received.

Columbia University

As its name suggests, Escrow.com provides online escrow services for e-commerce sites by holding payments for goods or services until a transaction is successfully completed.

TechCrunch

In September, Apple announced a new payment system called Apple Pay that will let people use their phones to pay for items in brick-and-mortar checkouts; Stripe, a privately held payment startup that competes with PayPal, was included on a list of early Apple partners, while PayPal wasn't.

The New Yorker

In doing so, GenApple has the ability to hold payment to the seller if the buyer is not satisfied.

TechCrunch

Finally, the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 explicitly holds payment processors liable for funding unlawful Internet gambling websites that conduct their business within the United States.

Forbes

There's no reason for retailers to hold payment information, except possibly for the convenience of the consumer – retailers are not banks.

Forbes

"With interest rates escalating, trying to hold payments constant is getting expensive".

The New York Times

If Medicare is unable to hold payments down as projected, that date could advance even further.

The Washington Post

The federal government can also seek restitution from the state for failing to hold payments when there is credible evidence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "holding payment" in a contract, clearly define the conditions under which the payment is being held and the process for its release to avoid disputes.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying precisely what triggers the release of the held payment. Vague terms can lead to misunderstandings and legal challenges. Instead of saying "upon satisfactory completion", detail the exact deliverables or milestones that constitute satisfactory completion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding payment" functions as a verbal noun phrase, where "holding" acts as a gerund modifying the noun "payment". According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "holding payment" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the action of temporarily delaying the release of funds. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verbal noun phrase and generally carries a neutral tone, fitting into contexts from News and Media to formal Academia. While not a highly frequent expression, understanding how to use "holding payment" correctly can assist you improve your English communication. When using "holding payment", ensure the conditions for payment release are well defined.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

withholding payment

Implies a more deliberate decision to delay payment, possibly due to a dispute or issue.

suspending payment

Suggests a temporary halt to payments, often due to unforeseen circumstances.

delaying payment

Focuses on the act of postponing payment to a later date.

deferring payment

Similar to delaying, but may imply a more formal or agreed-upon postponement.

postponing payment

Like delaying, this emphasizes moving the payment to a later time.

stopping payment

Indicates an action taken to prevent a payment from being processed.

freezing funds

Refers to blocking access to funds, often in a legal or financial context.

blocking payment

Similar to stopping payment, but may imply a more forceful or preventative action.

escrowing funds

Involves placing funds in a secure third-party account until certain conditions are met.

retaining payment

Suggests keeping hold of a payment, often for security or contractual reasons.

FAQs

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

You can use "holding payment" to describe a situation where a payment is temporarily delayed or prevented from being processed. For example, "The company is "holding payment" until the goods are inspected and approved".

What's a formal way to say "holding payment"?

A more formal alternative to "holding payment" is "withholding payment" or "suspending payment". These terms often imply a more deliberate or official decision.

When is it appropriate to consider "withholding payment" instead of "holding payment"?

"Withholding payment" suggests a stronger justification or formal reason for delaying the payment, such as a contractual dispute or unsatisfactory service. "Holding payment" can be a more general or temporary delay.

Is "holding payment" the same as "blocking payment"?

While similar, "holding payment" typically suggests a temporary delay, while "blocking payment" implies a more definitive prevention of the payment from being processed, perhaps due to fraud or legal reasons.