make payments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'make payments' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when referring to the act of settling a debt or making a financial transaction. For example: "You can make payments online using your credit card."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many homeowners struggle to make payments.

The New York Times

Did she make payments to Awicha?

The New Yorker

"People need to make payments without risk," he says.

The Economist

A longtime customer needed extra time to make payments?

The New York Times

To make payments, you must visit the Web site.

The New York Times - Tech

'I tried to make payments over the phone but they would not accept them.

Independent

"I work and I struggle anyway to make payments on time," she said.

The New York Times

You can make payments at any time up to 2 years before you start collecting payments.

The New York Times

Saudi Arabia's SADAD, for instance, allows the kingdom's citizens to make payments to local companies.

The Economist

The suit also accuses Mr. Zakarian of failing to make payments for rent and sales tax.

The New York Times - Food

Critics have warned that allowing any discretion to make payments to creditors could be dangerous.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial transactions, ensure clarity by specifying the method and frequency of "make payments". For example: "You can make payments online monthly."

Common error

Don't use "make payments" without specifying what is being paid for. Be specific: instead of "make payments", use "make mortgage payments" or "make credit card payments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make payments" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of transferring money to settle a debt or fulfill a financial obligation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "make payments" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of settling a financial obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general information. While the phrase itself is versatile, it's best practice to specify what is being paid for to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "submit payment" or "render payment" can be used depending on the specific context, but "make payments" remains a clear and frequently used option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submit payment

Focuses on the action of handing over the payment.

render payment

A more formal and less common synonym.

settle accounts

Emphasizes the clearing of debts or balances.

discharge debts

Highlights the act of fully satisfying a debt.

clear dues

Refers specifically to paying membership fees or similar obligations.

remit funds

Implies sending money, often internationally.

effectuate payment

A highly formal and technical alternative.

transfer funds

Focuses on the movement of money from one account to another.

honor obligations

Emphasizes fulfilling financial commitments.

meet financial responsibilities

A broader term encompassing various payment-related duties.

FAQs

How can I use "make payments" in a sentence?

You can use "make payments" to describe the act of settling a debt or conducting a financial transaction. For example: "Customers can "make payments" online or by mail."

What are some alternatives to "make payments"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "submit payment", "render payment", or "settle accounts".

Is it better to say "make a payment" or "make payments"?

Both "make a payment" and "make payments" are correct. "Make a payment" refers to a single instance, while "make payments" refers to multiple instances or a recurring action.

What's the difference between "make payments" and "process payments"?

"Make payments" refers to the action of the payer, while "process payments" refers to the action taken by the recipient or a third party to handle the payment. For example, a customer "makes payments", and a business "processes payments".