recurring payment

USAGE SUMMARY

'recurring payment' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is used to describe a type of payment arrangement, usually for bills, in which payment is made on a fixed or regular schedule. For example: "The credit card company offers a convenient recurring payment plan for customers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The last recurring payment attached to it was Verizon, from back in the day when it didn't accept American Express.

The New York Times

Recurring payment means a payment to an individual that is expected to be payable to a payee at regular intervals, at least four times annually.

Cornell University

Payment agencies shall notify the disbursing agency, in the manner prescribed by Fiscal Service, that a payment is a recurring payment.

Cornell University

If it is a recurring payment taking from your debit or credit card, as opposed to a direct debit, you will usually have to contact the company to cancel it.

Independent

A preauthorized check drawn by the financial institution on the consumer's account (such as an interest or other recurring payment to the consumer or another party), even if the check is computer-generated.

Cornell University

If your Payment Method is declined for a recurring payment of your subscription fee, you have ninety (90) days to provide us a new Payment Method or your subscription will be canceled.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Hiroki Takeuchi is the CEO of GoCardless, a service that makes it easy for organisations to accept recurring payments online.

The Guardian

In this case, researchers chose to include online purchases of travel and hotels, but excluded recurring payments and bills.

The Washington Post

The same is not true for recurring payments – a regular payment, usually from a debit or credit card, for an ongoing subscription or service.

The Guardian - Money

Recurring payments If you set up a direct debit or a standing order you have a right to cancel the payment at any time.

The Guardian - Money

Customers can easily check not only their balance but also the amount that it is safe to spend, taking into account pending bills and recurring payments.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting up a "recurring payment", always confirm the exact amount, frequency, and cancellation policy with the service provider to avoid unexpected charges.

Common error

Don't use "recurring payment" interchangeably with 'direct debit'. A direct debit is specifically authorized by you to allow a company to withdraw funds from your bank account. A "recurring payment" can be set up using a credit or debit card, and cancelling it might require contacting the company directly. "Direct debit" offers more control to the payer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recurring payment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing scheduled billing arrangements and payment options.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recurring payment" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe payments made regularly and automatically. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted and used across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business settings. When using "recurring payment", remember to confirm the payment details and cancellation policies to avoid potential issues. Be mindful not to confuse it with terms like 'direct debit', which involves a different authorization process. Alternatives like "subscription payment" or "automatic payment" may be suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subscription payment

This refers specifically to payments made for subscription services.

installment payment

This indicates payment made in regular installments.

automatic payment

This emphasizes the automated nature of the payment.

periodic billing

This highlights the billing aspect occurring at regular intervals.

scheduled payment

This implies that payments are arranged to occur at a specific time.

standing order

This is a common term for automated payments, particularly in the UK.

auto-pay

This is a shorter, more informal version of automatic payment.

regular billing

Similar to periodic billing, but emphasizes the regularity.

continuous payment

This highlights that the payment is ongoing without interruption.

membership fee

This relates to payments made for membership services.

FAQs

How is a "recurring payment" different from a direct debit?

A "recurring payment" is typically set up via credit or debit card, requiring you to contact the company to cancel. A "direct debit" authorizes a company to withdraw funds from your bank account and can be cancelled through your bank.

What's a common mistake when managing "recurring payments"?

A common mistake is failing to track all active "recurring payments". This can lead to paying for services you no longer use. Review your statements regularly to identify and cancel unnecessary subscriptions.

How can I cancel a "recurring payment"?

The cancellation process depends on how the "recurring payment" was set up. For credit/debit card payments, contact the company directly. For "direct debits", contact your bank.

What are some alternatives to "recurring payment"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "subscription payment", "installment payment", or "automatic payment".