make a payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make a payment' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in any formal or informal written context, such as an email, letter, or report. For example: "Please make a payment of $50 before June 20th in order to complete the transaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How do I make a payment?

The Guardian - Money

When a homeowner can make a payment, everybody wins".

The New York Times - Magazine

"You have a full year before you make a payment.

The New York Times - Sports

To make a payment with a credit card, click here.

Cornell University

If you don't make a payment, you'll harm the other person's credit.

The New York Times

The retirees agreed to make a payment to compensate the firm's creditors.

The New York Times

Firms usually get a few weeks' grace to make a payment.

The Economist

"He said, 'I didn't have to make a payment for 90 days,' " Cacciari remembered, laughing.

The New York Times - Sports

He was investigated under an ethics panel and had to make a payment associated with that.

The New York Times

In the help section it says: "You can have someone make a payment on your behalf.

The Guardian - Money

"I get it because I want to make a payment on time," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal contexts, consider using "submit a payment" or "render a payment" for a more professional tone.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by clearly stating the payment due date and any associated penalties. For example, instead of saying "make a payment soon", specify "make a payment by the 15th to avoid late fees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a payment" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "make" acts as the main verb and "a payment" serves as the direct object. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a payment" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to describe the act of transferring funds. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It maintains a neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communications. When writing, ensure clarity regarding payment methods and deadlines. Consider using alternatives like "submit a payment" for added formality or in order to refine the expression. The phrase appears frequently in News & Media and Academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submit a payment

Replaces "make" with "submit", slightly altering the formality but retaining the core meaning.

send a payment

Focuses on the act of transferring the payment.

process a payment

Focuses on the action of handling the payment, suitable from a business or system perspective.

initiate a payment

Emphasizes the starting of the payment process.

render a payment

A more formal substitute, suitable in legal or official settings.

effect a payment

Similar to 'render', but perhaps more focused on the concrete action.

issue a payment

Suggests the payment is being given out, rather than just created.

settle a payment

Focuses on finalizing the payment, often used in business contexts.

clear a payment

Focuses on successfully completing the payment transaction.

discharge a payment

Implies completing the act of payment and satisfying an obligation.

FAQs

What are some formal alternatives to "make a payment"?

In formal settings, you can use phrases like "submit a payment", "render a payment", or "effect a payment".

Is it correct to say "do a payment" instead of "make a payment"?

While understandable, "do a payment" is less common and less grammatically standard than "make a payment". It's generally better to use "make a payment" in most contexts.

How can I ask someone to "make a payment" politely?

You could say, "Could you please "submit the payment" at your earliest convenience?" or "We kindly request that you "initiate a payment" by [date]".

What's the difference between "make a payment" and "send a payment"?

"Make a payment" is a general term for initiating a payment, while "send a payment" emphasizes the action of transferring funds from one party to another. The best choice depends on the context.