payment at the counter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "payment at the counter" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a transaction that needs to be completed at a physical counter, typically in a retail or service setting. Example: "Please make your payment at the counter before leaving the store."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Payment takes place at the counter.

The Guardian

"They put their payment down on the counter and they go straight to their room," she said.

Huffington Post

The first component contained the term "informal patient payments" or one of its synonyms (see previous section), namely "unofficial out-of-pocket payments", "under-the-counter payments", "under-the-table payments", "envelop payments", and "corruption in health care".

BMC Health Services Research

Other synonyms used, include "unofficial out-of-pocket payments", "under-the-counter payments" and "corruption in health care" [e.g. [ 6, 26- 28]].

BMC Health Services Research

The government vowed to cancel welfare payments under the counter-terrorism laws it had passed late last year.

The Guardian

In traditional client-server POS systems, merchants such as restaurants have devices for taking orders and processing payments, typically the monolithic terminals you see at the counter, host stand or bar top.

Forbes

The focus of the new update to Square Register is helping optimize the experience at the counter beyond just the payment.

TechCrunch

Hand the filled out PS Form 3806, along with payment and the letter being mailed, to the employee at the counter.

WikiHow

Hand the filled out PS Form 3806, along with payment and the letter being mailed, to the post office employee at the counter.

WikiHow

12.45pm Lunch at the counter.

Independent

Order at the counter?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing instructions or providing information, be specific about the type of counter. For example, specify "payment at the customer service counter" instead of simply "payment at the counter" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase without specifying which counter, especially in locations with multiple counters. For example, in a large store, it is better to say "payment at the returns counter" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "payment at the counter" primarily functions as a noun phrase specifying a method and location of completing a transaction. Based on the available data, the phrase describes the action of paying for goods or services in a physical setting.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

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Reference

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Social Media

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "payment at the counter" is a phrase used to describe settling a bill or making a purchase in person at a physical location. While Ludwig indicates the phrase is grammatically correct, it currently shows minimal real-world examples. For clarity, it is best practice to specify the type of counter when possible (e.g. "customer service counter"). Alternatives include phrases like "settle payment at the register" or "make a payment at the checkout".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Settle payment at the register

Focuses on the location of payment as the register rather than specifically 'the counter'.

Make a payment at the checkout

Replaces 'counter' with 'checkout', emphasizing the end of the shopping process.

Pay at the service desk

Specifies 'service desk' instead of 'counter', suitable for customer service-oriented payments.

Pay at the till

Replaces "counter" with "till", often used in British English.

Submit payment at the payment station

Uses 'payment station', suitable if there is a specific self-service area.

Complete the transaction at the kiosk

Emphasizes completing the entire transaction, rather than just the payment, and uses 'kiosk' instead of counter.

Process payment in person

Highlights the in-person aspect of the payment, rather than the location.

Cashier payment

Referring to a cashier payment.

Finalize the purchase at the sales point

Replaces "counter" with "sales point", emphasizing the completion of the purchase.

Over-the-counter payment

This refers to transactions conducted directly with a staff member at a service point.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "payment at the counter" for variety?

You can use alternatives such as "settle payment at the register", "make a payment at the checkout", or "pay at the service desk" depending on the specific context.

Is "payment at the counter" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "payment at the counter" is generally acceptable for formal writing. However, in some contexts, more specific terms like "over-the-counter payment" may be preferred for clarity.

What does "payment at the counter" imply?

The phrase "payment at the counter" typically refers to making a payment in person at a physical location, such as a retail store or service establishment. It implies a transaction completed directly with a staff member or at a designated payment area.

How is "payment at the counter" different from online payment?

"Payment at the counter" refers to an in-person transaction, while online payment involves completing a transaction remotely via the internet. Alternatives such as "submit payment at the payment station" may be used if there is a specific self-service area.