in equal installments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in equal installments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing payments, distributions, or allocations that are divided into equal parts over a specified period. Example: "The loan will be repaid in equal installments over the next five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The money would have to be repaid over 15 years in equal installments.

The New York Times

The company also granted Ms. Clinton $250,000 worth of IAC shares that vests in equal installments over three years.

The New York Times

Twenty-five percent, or about $1.2 billion, of those shares vested immediately, while the remaining will vest in equal installments over four years.

The New York Times

Harry Forsyth, Sartell, Minn.: If one were to win a $1 million prize payable in equal installments over 20 years, one would receive $50,000 per year — a number most folks can relate to.

The New York Times

That is because the tax will be paid in equal installments over 10 years.

Forbes

It does, however, protect deferred compensation received in equal installments over ten years or more.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Mr. Ford was ultimately granted four million options in December, which are vested in four equal installments through June 2004 with strike prices beginning at $75 a share and graduating to $135.

The New York Times

Under the firm's partnership agreement, he will receive the money in five equal installments.

The New York Times

SAC will return the money in three equal installments through the end of the year.

The New York Times

The largest part of the award is deferred stock valued at $10 million, which will vest in three equal installments from the end of 2013 to 2015.

The New York Times

The options vests in four equal installments through 2011.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in equal installments", clearly specify the time frame over which the installments will be paid or distributed to avoid ambiguity. For example: "The debt will be repaid in equal installments over five years."

Common error

Avoid simply stating that something is paid "in equal installments" without specifying the duration or frequency of those installments. This can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the terms.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in equal installments" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun to specify how something is divided or paid. Ludwig examples show its usage primarily in financial contexts, describing payment plans or distributions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in equal installments" is a grammatically correct and professionally acceptable way to describe payments or distributions that are divided into equal parts over time. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows that it is most commonly used in news media, formal business, and scientific contexts. While the phrase itself is straightforward, remember to always specify the timeframe or frequency of the installments to avoid ambiguity. For alternative phrasing, consider "in equal payments" or "distributed equally over time".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in equal payments

Replaces "installments" with the more general term "payments", maintaining the meaning of dividing into equal parts.

in equal parts

A direct synonym, replacing "installments" with "parts" to denote equal divisions.

in even installments

Uses 'even' as a synonym to 'equal', which reinforces the concept of equal division.

in equal amounts

Focuses on the quantity being divided, suggesting that each installment or payment is the same amount.

in equal portions

Substitutes "installments" with "portions", implying a division into equal shares or amounts.

in equal shares

Similar to "equal portions", this emphasizes the idea of dividing something into identical shares.

in consistent installments

Replaces 'equal' with 'consistent', emphasizing the stability of payment.

in regular installments of equal value

Adds emphasis on regularity and equal value, for more clarity.

distributed equally over time

Describes the concept more elaborately, emphasizing the equal distribution across a period.

split into equal tranches

Uses 'tranches', a more technical term for installments or portions in financial contexts.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "in equal installments" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "in equal payments" or "distributed equally over time". These alternatives provide a similar meaning but with a more professional connotation.

What is the difference between "in equal installments" and "in installments"?

"In equal installments" specifies that the payments or distributions are of the same amount each time. "In installments" simply means payments are made over time, but not necessarily in the same amount.

Can I use "in equal installments" for things other than money?

Yes, while commonly used for financial matters, "in equal installments" can also describe the distribution of resources, tasks, or anything else that can be divided into portions. For example, "The work was completed in equal installments over three months."

What are some common synonyms for "in equal installments"?

Common synonyms include "in equal payments", "in equal portions", and "in equal shares". The best choice depends on the specific context and what you are dividing.