seek payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is requesting or pursuing payment for goods or services rendered. Example: "After the project was completed, we had to seek payment from the client to cover our expenses."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

But Mr. Kaufman, Mr. Kozlowski's lawyer, declined to comment on whether his client would seek payment.

The New York Times

Last week, though, a spokesman for Metro-North said it would not seek payment.

The New York Times

They could seek payment from the students' home districts but had to educate them in the meantime.

The New York Times

In some states, including New York, hospitals caring for illegal immigrants in life-threatening situations can seek payment case by case, from a program known as emergency Medicaid.

The New York Times

As a vice president at Goldman, Mr. Aleynikov appears to come within the scope of the bylaws that entitle him to seek payment of his fees.

The New York Times

It has also not been afraid to take Argentina to court to seek payment for $1.3 billion relating to bonds that the country defaulted on in 2001.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

A third Rigas son, James P., who was not indicted, may also seek payments, Judge Gerber said.

The New York Times

The prosecutor's finding clears the way for the owners of the ruined businesses, including William Majors, who owns the pier, to seek payments from insurance policies.

The New York Times

To finance the investigations, the group will seek payments from the pro bono programs of major law firms as well as donations.

The New York Times

The other uses private finance, promotes competition and seeks payment for services rendered.

The Economist

But after Consumer Protection investigated and held an informal hearing, Unique agreed to stop seeking payment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek payment", ensure the context clearly indicates who is owed the payment and for what reason. Provide specific details, such as invoice numbers or dates of service, to facilitate the payment process.

Common error

Avoid using "seek payment" in a passive voice construction (e.g., "Payment is sought"), as it can obscure who is responsible for requesting the payment. Instead, clearly state who is seeking the payment: "The vendor will seek payment from the client."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek payment" functions as a verb phrase, where "seek" is the main verb (meaning 'to attempt to find or obtain something') and "payment" is the direct object (the thing being sought). As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seek payment" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to describe the act of requesting or pursuing money owed for goods or services. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is correct. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its use in reporting on financial matters. Alternatives include "request payment" or "pursue payment", but "seek payment" maintains a subtle nuance of ongoing effort. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: specify who is seeking payment and for what reason. Avoid passive voice to ensure clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking payment

Present continuous of the query. This phrase focuses on the ongoing action of trying to get paid.

request payment

A more direct and formal way to ask for money owed.

requests payment

Third person of the query. Used when referring to another subject seeking payment.

requested payment

Past tense of requesting payment. This phrase focuses on the past action of asking for money owed.

seek fee

More specific; indicates seeking a payment for a service.

soliciting payment

Implies actively asking or campaigning for payment, often from multiple sources.

secure payment

Focuses on ensuring the payment is received, implying a stronger effort.

await payment

Focuses on the expectation of receiving payment, rather than the act of requesting it.

seek sum

More vague; indicates seeking a payment of money.

identify payment

Focuses on locating or verifying a payment, rather than requesting it.

FAQs

How can I use "seek payment" in a sentence?

You can use "seek payment" when describing the action of requesting money for goods or services. For example: "The contractor will "seek payment" upon completion of the project."

What are some alternatives to "seek payment"?

Alternatives include "request payment", "pursue payment", or "solicit payment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "seek payment" or "request payment"?

"Seek payment" and "request payment" are often interchangeable. "Request payment" is a bit more direct, while "seek payment" can imply a more persistent or ongoing effort to obtain the funds.

What's the difference between "seek payment" and "await payment"?

"Seek payment" describes the act of asking for money, while "await payment" describes waiting for the money to be received after it has been requested. They represent different stages in the payment process.