total payments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total payments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to refer to the complete amount of money that has been paid or is due to be paid. Example: "The total payments for the loan must be made by the end of the month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The total payments amounted to more than £5,000.

The Guardian

How much are your total payments for debts?

The Guardian - Money

(It processed $145 billion in total payments in 2012).

The New York Times

It was a bumper year for directors, who received £2.8m in total payments during the year.

The Guardian

Avigen, of Alameda, Calif., said total payments from Bayer could reach $60 million.

The New York Times

Court papers show that the total payments for all the annuitants will be $14.5 million.

The New York Times

It will bring total payments to £300 for over-70s and £400 for over-80s.

The Guardian - Money

PayPal is on track to process $20 billion in mobile payments alone, not total payments.

The New York Times

That, he continued, gives consumers lower monthly payments and lower total payments over the life of the loan.

The New York Times

In the first nine months of last year -- the most recent data available -- total payments were $3.53 billion.

The New York Times

The most recent payment to Kuwait, $1.2bn, was made in July, bringing the total payments to $46.7bn.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial summaries, use "total payments" to clearly indicate the aggregate amount disbursed, ensuring clarity in reports and analyses.

Common error

Avoid using "total payments" when you specifically mean the amount after deductions. Always clarify whether you're referring to gross or net figures to prevent misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total payments" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the sum or aggregate of all payments made within a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total payments" is a grammatically sound and widely used noun phrase that serves to denote the aggregate amount of all payments made. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and business contexts underscores its importance in financial reporting and analysis. To ensure clarity, differentiate it from related terms such as "net payments" and "total costs". By following best practices, writers can effectively communicate financial information and avoid common errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

total expenditure

More commonly used alternative with a focus on spending, instead of just payment, still means overall financial outlay.

aggregate disbursements

Replaces "payments" with a more formal term, "disbursements", while retaining the meaning of a combined sum.

total payout

Focuses on the amount paid out, particularly in insurance or settlements.

full disbursement

Emphasizes the complete distribution of funds.

overall expenditure

Shifts the focus to spending rather than payment, but still captures the idea of a complete financial outlay.

gross payments

Implies payments before any deductions, differing from "total payments" which could be net or gross depending on context.

complete remittances

Uses "remittances" to specify the sending of money, usually to another place.

cumulative expenses

Highlights the accumulation of expenses over a period.

entire dues

Refers specifically to membership fees or obligations, a narrower scope than all possible "total payments".

total remuneration

Typically refers to compensation for services, adding a specific connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "total payments" in a sentence?

You can use "total payments" to describe the sum of all payments made. For example, "The "total payments" for the project amounted to $1 million".

What's a good alternative to "total payments"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "overall expenditure", "aggregate disbursements", or "total disbursement".

Is it correct to say "total of payments" instead of "total payments"?

While "total of payments" isn't grammatically incorrect, ""total payments"" is more concise and commonly used, making it the preferred choice.

What's the difference between "total payments" and "total costs"?

"Total costs" encompass all expenses, including those not yet paid. "Total payments" refers specifically to the sum of payments that have already been made.