make repayments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make repayments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of paying back borrowed money or settling debts. Example: "After receiving my paycheck, I was finally able to make repayments on my student loans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To be fair, Oakam's cashback feature does encourage borrowers to make repayments on time.

Independent

"For the majority of households able to make repayments this is unlikely to be a concern.

The Guardian - Money

Buyers pay a deposit and make repayments over a fixed term, usually 12 to 36 months.

The Times

If you get into trouble, don't borrow to make repayments without thinking carefully.

The Guardian - Money

Each group of borrowers had to make repayments until their entire cohort's debts had been repaid.

The Guardian

Banks fear this means councils no longer have the authority to make repayments.

The Guardian

But she should ensure this will not overstretch her finances, as it could make repayments unsustainable on her current salary.

Independent

Even though Wonga was lending cash to people who could not afford to make repayments, there is cause for worry.

The Guardian - Business

Peverel says it will now make repayments – but is calling the money a "goodwill payment" rather than compensation.

The Guardian - Money

'The processes we go through to determine whether someone can afford to make repayments or not are very rigorous.

The Guardian - Money

Recipients who take subsides in advance will receive tax refunds if their subsidies were too small, but will have to make repayments if their subsidies were too high.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing loan agreements, clearly state the method and schedule for borrowers to "make repayments" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make repayments" when referring to paying more than what is owed. Overpayments should be described as "paying extra" or "paying ahead", rather than simply making regular repayments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make repayments" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of paying back a debt or loan. It is commonly used to express the act of fulfilling a financial obligation over time, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

16%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make repayments" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of paying back borrowed money. Ludwig confirms its validity. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, and business, with a neutral formality. When writing, ensure you're referring to regular payments rather than overpayments, and be clear about the repayment schedule. For alternatives, consider "pay off debts" or "settle debts" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pay off debts

Focuses on completely eliminating a debt.

settle debts

Focuses on resolving outstanding financial obligations.

service debts

Indicates the regular payments towards a debt.

clear outstanding balances

Emphasizes the removal of remaining balances.

fulfil payment obligations

Emphasizes adherence to agreed-upon payment terms.

discharge obligations

Highlights the fulfillment of formal commitments.

honor financial commitments

Stresses the importance of respecting financial duties.

liquidate liabilities

Refers to converting assets into cash to cover debts.

defray expenses

Implies covering costs or expenditures.

offset balances

Suggests neutralizing balances, possibly through counterclaims.

FAQs

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

You can use "make repayments" in sentences like, "Borrowers must "make repayments" according to the agreed schedule" or "The company will "make repayments" on its loan over the next five years."

What's the difference between "make repayments" and "pay off debts"?

"Make repayments" refers to the act of paying back a portion of a debt, often in regular installments. "Pay off debts" implies completely eliminating the debt.

Which is correct: "make repayments" or "do repayments"?

"Make repayments" is the correct and idiomatic phrase. "Do repayments" is not standard English.

What can I say instead of "make repayments"?

Alternatives include "settle debts", "service debts", or "pay off debts" depending on the context.