on credit

USAGE SUMMARY

"on credit" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to making a purchase by paying at a later date instead of immediately, either with a credit card or some other type of loan or financing option. For example, "I bought the new computer on credit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They buy furniture on credit.

The New York Times

Never take on credit card debt.

The New York Times

GFX does not sell on credit terms.

Bplans

"A bank lives on credit.

The Economist

I live on credit.

The New Yorker

Everyone's spending on credit.

The Guardian

"I'm going on credit cards myself.

The New Yorker

Buying on credit, though, may be different.

The Economist

Ruling on Credit Suisse-AOL securities litigation.

The New York Times

The treatment would be given on credit.

The New York Times - Magazine

Also check the APR on credit cards.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on credit" to indicate that a purchase is not paid for immediately but will be paid for at a later date. Ensure it aligns with the context of borrowing or deferred payment.

Common error

Avoid using "on credit" when you mean to "give credit" to someone for their achievements or ideas. "On credit" refers to financial transactions, while "give credit" means to acknowledge someone's contribution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on credit" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs to indicate the method of payment or acquisition. It specifies that something is obtained or purchased with the understanding that payment will be made at a later time. As Ludwig AI highlights, it denotes a transaction based on trust.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

27%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "on credit" is a common and correct way to express that a purchase is being made with deferred payment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. As demonstrated by the numerous examples, it's used across a variety of contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and business domains. When using "on credit", ensure the context clearly involves a financial transaction where payment is not immediate, differentiating it from similar-sounding phrases like "give credit". Remember to specify the type of credit when more clarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on deferred payment

Directly refers to the act of delaying payment.

on account

Implies a pre-existing credit relationship with the seller.

through a credit arrangement

A more formal way of indicating payment at a later date.

with borrowed funds

Focuses on the source of the payment (borrowed funds) rather than the deferred payment aspect.

using credit facilities

Emphasizes the availability of credit options to facilitate a purchase.

using a loan

Specifies a particular type of credit, a loan, for the purchase.

through financing

Highlights the method of acquiring funds for a purchase.

with a line of credit

Highlights the type of credit being used.

via installment plan

Emphasizes the payment structure rather than the initial credit arrangement.

by incurring debt

Focuses on the creation of debt as a result of the purchase.

FAQs

How do you use "on credit" in a sentence?

You can use "on credit" to describe purchasing something with the understanding that you will pay for it later. For example, "I bought the furniture "on credit" and will pay it off over the next year".

What is the difference between buying "on credit" and buying with cash?

Buying "on credit" means you are borrowing money to make a purchase and will pay it back later, often with interest. Buying with cash means you are paying the full amount at the time of purchase with your own funds.

What are some alternatives to saying "on credit"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "with borrowed funds", "through financing", or "on deferred payment" to express the same idea.

Is it better to buy "on credit" or save up and pay in full?

It depends on your financial situation and the urgency of the purchase. Buying "on credit" can be useful for large, necessary purchases when you don't have the cash immediately available, but it also means you'll likely pay interest. Saving up and paying in full avoids interest charges but requires delaying the purchase.