withheld payment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withheld payment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a payment has been intentionally not given or delayed, often due to disputes or contractual issues. Example: "The contractor has withheld payment until the work is completed to satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He withheld payment of the land annuities, and an "economic war" resulted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

All but one of those Kazakh companies has withheld payment for most of this year, Bruyneel said.

The New York Times - Sports

(Federal officials, too, could not cite any instances in which they had withheld payment or debarred contractors for poor safety records).

The New York Times

The committee heard that USC went bust after bosses withheld payment to one of its biggest suppliers, the fashion chain Diesel, because it was fearful the company would stop supplying USC.

Independent

Carl Golden, a spokesman for the company, Parsons Infrastructure and Technology Group of Pasadena, Calif., said the company was not concerned about the withheld payment and would submit the report by the middle of next week.

The New York Times

A City Hall official familiar with the agreement said that to date, the city had paid out $652 million for the CityTime project, and that the city also had a $41 million bill that it withheld payment on when the scandal erupted.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The withheld payments are a combination of taxes, ground rents and civic facilities fees.

The New York Times

Since December the IMF has withheld payments from its $5 billion aid package, and a special team is in Jakarta this week to haggle over the government's lax behaviour.

The Economist

The Treasury Department has previously withheld payments from mortgage servicers, but Thursday's action focused on some of the biggest players in the program.

The New York Times

The Rent Strike Weekender event was designed to build on a success at UCL, where 1,000 students withheld payments as part of a five-month dispute.

The Guardian

In the suit, Housing Works asserts that the city withheld payments and prevented it from receiving a contract in retaliation for its frequent criticism of the Giuliani administration.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "withheld payment", clearly state the reason for withholding the payment to avoid ambiguity or misinterpretation. For example: "The company withheld payment due to unsatisfactory work."

Common error

Avoid using "withheld payment" without providing context or explanation. This can create confusion and raise concerns about potential wrongdoing. Always clarify why the payment was withheld.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withheld payment" functions as a noun phrase where "withheld" acts as a past participle modifying the noun "payment". This phrase typically describes an action related to not providing funds due to certain circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "withheld payment" is a noun phrase used to describe a situation where a payment has been intentionally stopped or delayed. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it is grammatically correct and most frequently appears in news and media contexts. While the phrase is neutral in register, it's crucial to provide context for clarity. Alternatives like "delayed payment" or "suspended payment" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to always specify the reason for the "withheld payment" to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held back payment

Indicates that payment was intentionally kept from being made, possibly temporarily.

denied payment

Emphasizes the refusal to make a payment, often due to a dispute or lack of approval.

retained payment

Indicates that payment was kept or held, usually for a specific reason or until a condition is met.

suspended payment

Suggests a temporary halt to payments, usually pending investigation or resolution of an issue.

refused to pay

A more direct way of saying payment was not made, often implying a deliberate decision.

delayed payment

Focuses on the lateness of the payment, without necessarily implying a deliberate withholding.

stopped payment

Highlights the action of halting a payment that was already in progress or scheduled.

ceased payment

Indicates that payments have permanently stopped, usually due to financial difficulties or contract termination.

not remitted payment

Implies a failure to send or transfer payment, possibly due to negligence or oversight.

failed to pay

A general expression for not having made a payment, regardless of the reason.

FAQs

How to use "withheld payment" in a sentence?

You can use "withheld payment" to describe a situation where a payment is intentionally not made. For example: "The company "withheld payment" due to breach of contract."

What can I say instead of "withheld payment"?

You can use alternatives like "delayed payment", "suspended payment", or "refused to pay" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "withheld payment" or "withheld payments"?

"Withheld payment" refers to a single instance, while "withheld payments" refers to multiple instances or a series of payments that have been withheld. Choose the form that matches the specific situation.

What's the difference between "withheld payment" and "delayed payment"?

"Withheld payment" implies a deliberate decision to not make a payment, often due to a dispute or issue. "Delayed payment" simply means the payment is late, without necessarily implying a deliberate withholding.