Formal Sentence: in arrears

Question

He will be paid monthly on the 15th--two weeks in advance, and two weeks in arrears.

Can in arrears be replaced by late or behind?

And is this sentence saying that payment on the is for the two upcoming weeks (two weeks after the 15th) and for the two weeks before the 15th?

Thanks

Avangi · Accepted Answer

In all my life, I've never heard "in arrears" used for anything other than an unauthorized delinquency.

That is, I don't think we "arrange" to pay somone [partially] in arrears. If we do, we call it something else. (IMHO) Right! You ~~wanna~~ want to know what!

But I'm no big financier. (Someone else may think it's okay.)

I was in arrears on my gas bill ($300) / My gas bill was $300 in arrears - until half an hour ago.

(Danged global warming!)

I guess it would be more correct to say, "My account was in arrears."
(In casual terms we offten use "my account" and "my bill" synonymously.)

English 1b3 · Answer

AvangiThat is, I don't think we "arrange" to pay somone [partially] in arrears. If we do, we call it something else. (IMHO) Right! You wanna want to know what!

That's what I thought! I mean, if in arrears means late or behind, I don't understand why someone would intentionally pay in arrears...

But in saying this, it does sound right, and I'm pretty sure I've heard it being used thus before...

What ya reckon?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

He will be paid monthly on the 15th--two weeks in advance, and two weeks in arrears.

Can in arrears be replaced by late or behind?

And is this sentence saying that payment on the is for the two upcoming weeks (two weeks after the 15th) and for the two weeks before the 15th? Yes

'In arrears' This is the standard expression for this kind of thing. I used to work on Pay Systems. The whole organization was paid two weeks in arrears.

'late' - To me, this suggests 'later than the agreed upon time'. But the agreed upon time is the 15th. So 'late' does not seem like a good choice.

'behind' - Possibly you could say this. But I'd have to pause briefly to figure out what you meant.

I know you like accuracy.

Your sentence does not seem entirely accurate as written. It seems to mean he will get paid for only 48 weeks a year. (12 X 4)

Clive

Avangi · Answer

English 1b3What ya reckon?

Clive would not say it's standard language if it were not. My trips to the payroll department have been few and far between, thank ***. I think if they told me they were going to pay me in arrears, I'd be upset. When I've worked hourly, the pay has always been in arrears, but I don't recall ever hearing it called that. They just called it "holding back a weeks pay."
When I've worked for a monthly salary, yes, my check for May would be dated sometime before the end of the month of May. If I took the money and quit, there'd probably have been some scrambling.

There may be some regional differences in terminology. I don't know.

Avangi · Answer

(My edit is stuck again.)  Perhaps the terminology of "holding back a week's pay" was just keeping it simple for us common folk.  Perhaps in the payroll office they called it something else.

English 1b3 · Answer

CliveYour sentence does not seem entirely accurate as written. It seems to mean he will get paid for only 48 weeks a year. (12 X 4)

Good point... how do they normally pay monthly then? I'm two-weekly

Amandak695 · Answer

CliveHi,

He will be paid monthly on the 15th--two weeks in advance, and two weeks in arrears.

Can in arrears be replaced by late or behind?

And is this sentence saying that payment on the is for the two upcoming weeks (two weeks after the 15th) and for the two weeks before the 15th? Yes

'In arrears' This is the standard expression for this kind of thing. I used to work on Pay Systems. The whole organization was paid two weeks in arrears.

'late' - To me, this suggests 'later than the agreed upon time'. But the agreed upon time is the 15th. So 'late' does not seem like a good choice.

'behind' - Possibly you could say this. But I'd have to pause briefly to figure out what you meant.

I know you like accuracy.
Your sentence does not seem entirely accurate as written. It seems to mean he will get paid for only 48 weeks a year. (12 X 4)

Clive

Thanks you for the post.

Amandak695 · Answer

CliveHi,

He will be paid monthly on the 15th--two weeks in advance, and two weeks in arrears.

Can in arrears be replaced by late or behind?

And is this sentence saying that payment on the is for the two upcoming weeks (two weeks after the 15th) and for the two weeks before the 15th? Yes

'In arrears' This is the standard expression for this kind of thing. I used to work on Pay Systems. The whole organization was paid two weeks in arrears.

'late' - To me, this suggests 'later than the agreed upon time'. But the agreed upon time is the 15th. So 'late' does not seem like a good choice.

'behind' - Possibly you could say this. But I'd have to pause briefly to figure out what you meant.

I know you like accuracy.
Your sentence does not seem entirely accurate as written. It seems to mean he will get paid for only 48 weeks a year. (12 X 4)

Clive

Thanks you for the post.

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Clive · Answer

Hi,

My first job was monthly-paid.

As I recollect, it was just the same fixed amount every month.

Clive

Formal Sentence: in arrears

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