single payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'single payment' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used when referring to a one-time payment for something, such as a purchase or transaction of services. For example, "I opted for the single payment option to purchase this software license."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Every single payment and margin is accounted for".

The Guardian

She will receive a single payment of $44 million.

The New York Times

The borrower had not made a single payment.

The New York Times

The ability to take money out in a single payment was generally limited to executives.

The New York Times

The largest single payment, 140 million, went to the Italian sugar company Italia Zuccheri Spa.

The New York Times

Their support took the form of a single payment, with no strings attached.

The Guardian - Film

The day before in Sacramento, $150,000 came in as a single payment.

The Guardian

"We have built the infrastructure to make every single payment card smart," Mr. Walther said.

The New York Times

Universal Credit brings together six benefits and tax credits into one single payment.

Independent

Participants are required to make a single payment each month to a designated savings account.

The New York Times

The single payment scheme, which accounts for most of the money, is an award for owning land.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “single payment” to emphasize simplicity and completeness in a transaction, contrasting it with recurring billing or payment plans. This can highlight benefits like avoiding future obligations.

Common error

Avoid using "single payment" when you actually mean a specific payment method. For example, instead of saying 'I made a single payment by credit card', specify 'I paid with a credit card'. "Single payment" refers to the nature of the transaction, not how it was processed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "single payment" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object or complement in a sentence. It identifies a specific type of transaction, indicating that the entire amount is paid in one go. Ludwig AI explains this is typically used when referring to a one-time payment for something, such as a purchase or transaction of services.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "single payment" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a one-time transaction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's prevalent in news, science, and formal business contexts, offering a clear way to distinguish a complete, upfront payment from other payment methods like installments. While it's essential to avoid redundancy and specify the payment method separately if needed, "single payment" effectively communicates the nature of the transaction. Alternatives such as "one-time payment" or "lump sum payment" can be used depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

one-time payment

Emphasizes the payment being a unique event, happening only once.

lump sum payment

Highlights the payment as a complete, undividable amount.

full payment

Focuses on the completeness of the payment, covering the entire amount due.

one-off payment

Similar to "one-time payment", stressing the non-recurring nature of the payment.

complete payment

Indicates that all outstanding dues have been settled in one transaction.

total payment

Highlights that the entire sum owed is paid at once.

final payment

Indicates that this is the last payment required.

a single installment

Changes the focus to the act of dividing payment in a unique part.

one individual payment

Adds an additional individual emphasis.

entire remittance

Uses a more formal word for payment.

FAQs

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

You can use "single payment" to describe a one-time transaction, such as, "The agreement stipulated a "lump sum payment" instead of monthly installments.".

What's the difference between "single payment" and "installment"?

"Single payment" refers to paying the entire amount at once, while an "installment" is a portion of the total amount paid at regular intervals.

What are some alternatives to "single payment"?

Depending on the context, you can use terms like "one-time payment", "lump sum payment", or "full payment" instead of "single payment".

Is it correct to say "a single payment only"?

While understandable, "a single payment only" can be redundant. It's generally clearer to simply use "single payment". If you need emphasis, consider "just a single payment".