one time fee

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "one time fee" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to refer to a payment that is required only once, rather than on a recurring or ongoing basis. Example: "The gym membership had a one time fee of $100, but there were no monthly fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Should you have a monthly or one time fee?

TechCrunch

"It's just a one time fee that you pay annually".

TechCrunch

For those wishing to exclude the add, WaxMail charges a $29.95 one time fee.

TechCrunch

Plugins cost $20 each but the one time fee is definitely worth it.

TechCrunch

The service gives users easy access to one year of quarterly map updates for a one time fee.

TechCrunch

It is a one time fee, paid for buy the seller in my area, to transfer free and clear title.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

SCO said on Tuesday that users needed to pay a one-time fee of $699 for every processor running Linux.

The New York Times

So how is VPN4Life planning on providing unlimited anonymized data service for a flat one-time fee?

TechCrunch

That leaves them with only what the commissioning orchestra paid a one-time fee of anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000, depending on the artist's reputation.

Forbes

But just before the legal showdown, Microsoft paid Spyglass a one-time fee to settle all current and future royalties on Explorer.

Forbes

Homebuyers could purchase protection from the government for a one-time fee, say 1 percent of the house purchase price, or $2,000 on a house selling for $200,000.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a "one time fee" with other payment options, clearly state whether there are additional recurring fees or subscriptions involved to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid implying that a "one time fee" covers ongoing services. Be explicit about what the fee includes and whether further payments are required for continued access or support.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "one time fee" functions as a noun phrase acting as a description of a type of payment. It specifies that the fee is paid only once, unlike recurring charges. This is consistent with the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "one time fee" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a single, non-recurring payment. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to be clear about what the fee covers and whether any additional payments are required. Common alternatives include "single payment" and "non-recurring charge". Being precise avoids confusion and ensures transparency in financial transactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-recurring charge

Emphasizes that the charge will not happen again.

one-off payment

More informal way to indicate a single, isolated payment.

single payment

Focuses on the act of paying rather than the fee itself.

isolated payment

Similar to one-off payment, highlights the payment is separate from other payments.

lump sum payment

Implies a larger, single payment covering a complete obligation.

unique payment

Highlights the payment is exceptional and not a pattern.

solo charge

A less common, but still valid, way to express a single charge.

fixed charge

Suggests the fee is set and does not change, but doesn't necessarily mean it's only charged once.

initial fee

Highlights that it is the first payment, implying it may be followed by others.

terminal fee

Often applies if it is at the end of a service or contract.

FAQs

How can I use "one time fee" in a sentence?

You can say, "There is a "one time fee" for the software, but no monthly subscription." or "The "one time fee" covers the installation costs."

What is a synonym for "one time fee"?

Alternatives include "single payment", "non-recurring charge", or "lump sum payment", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'a one time fee' or 'an one time fee'?

The correct usage is "a "one time fee" because 'one' begins with a 'w' sound, so it takes the indefinite article 'a' instead of 'an'.

What's the difference between "one time fee" and a subscription?

A "one time fee" is a single payment, while a subscription involves recurring payments, typically monthly or annually.