make checks payable to

USAGE SUMMARY

This is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used when sending a bill or invoice for payment. For example: Please make all checks payable to ABC Corporation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Please make checks payable to: Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

The New York Times

Make checks payable to: "Cardinal Hayes High School" and put "Pat Mazzarulli Music Scholarship Fund" in note section.

The New York Times

Investors "should never make checks payable to an adviser; always make them payable to the custodian," said Larry Hughes, executive director of BNY Mellon Wealth Management in Boston.

The New York Times

Please make checks payable to the RSGroup Trust Company FBO Corey T. Green Foundation, and mail to: RSGroup Trust, Church Street Station, P.O.

The New York Times

Please make checks payable to: America Society of Hematology or Tisch Cancer Institute for Leukemia Research, 1 Gustav L Levy Place, P.O.

The New York Times

Please make checks payable to: Silicon Valley Community Foundation, for the Benefit of: Craig Winfield Johnson Memorial Fund, 2440 W. El Camino Real, Ste 300, Mountain View, CA 94040.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Please make check payable to New York-Presbyterian Fund, Inc. and include on the memo line: "In Memory of Karen Portanier".

The New York Times

Please make check payable to: Anne O'Hare McCormick Memorial Fund Inc., a tax-exempt charitable entity, Important: on check memo, please designate "Joan O'Sullivan Scholarship".

The New York Times

His Xanadu and Xanadu II are each $20.00 post paid (make check payable to John Giacchi), and can be ordered from: Don Near 9700 Chapman Avenue Garden Grove, CA 92841 Website: www.johngiacchi.com/.johngiacchi.com/

Forbes

His Paradise, Paradise Revisited, and Stairway to Paradise are each $20.00 post paid (make check payable to Musical Contrasts), and can be ordered from: Musical Contrasts P.O.

Forbes

Pay $150 filing fee and make check payable to the 'Secretary of State'.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If accepting online payments, clearly state alternative payment options alongside check instructions to cater to a wider range of preferences.

Common error

Avoid simply stating "make checks payable to [company name]" without specifying if a division, subsidiary, or fund is the actual payee. Provide the complete and exact name required for proper crediting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make checks payable to" functions as an imperative instruction, directing the recipient to write a check with the specified payee. As Ludwig AI describes, it clearly instructs how to correctly address the check for payment. The examples show how it's typically used in formal requests.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make checks payable to" is a common and grammatically correct imperative phrase used to provide payment instructions. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, wiki, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the full legal name of the payee to avoid any processing issues. While alternatives such as ""write checks payable to"" or ""send payments to"" exist, "make checks payable to" remains the clearest and most widely understood way to instruct someone to write a check.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make out checks to

Uses "make out" instead of "make", slightly less formal.

Write checks payable to

Substitutes "write" for "make", emphasizing the physical act of writing.

Checks should be made payable to

Changes from imperative to passive voice, more formal.

Ensure checks are payable to

Emphasizes the necessity of the check being payable to a specific entity.

Please remit payment to

Uses more formal language like "remit" and focuses on the action of sending payment.

Draft checks to

Uses "draft" instead of "make", less common in everyday language.

Send payments to

Directs the sender to send payments, less specific about the method.

Pay via check to

Specifies the payment method as check.

Submit check payments to

Similar to "send payments", but more formal with "submit".

Transfer funds to

Suggests alternative payment methods beyond checks, such as electronic transfers.

FAQs

How do I use "make checks payable to" in a sentence?

The phrase "make checks payable to" is used to instruct someone on how to write a check. For example, "Please make checks payable to ABC Corporation" indicates that the recipient should write the name "ABC Corporation" on the payee line of the check.

What can I say instead of "make checks payable to"?

Alternatives include "make out checks to", "write checks payable to", or "send payments to", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it OK to abbreviate the payee name after "make checks payable to"?

While it might be acceptable in some informal contexts, it is always best practice to use the full legal name of the payee when you "make checks payable to" someone. This avoids confusion and potential issues with processing the check.

What should I do if I accidentally "make check payable to" the wrong name?

If you've already written the check, the best course of action is to void the check and write a new one. If the check has already been cashed, contact your bank immediately.