service contracts

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   Written agreements in which one party provides work or support to another, usually for regular payment.

   Grammar: Countable noun used in the plural; the singular is 'service contract'.

   Patterns

   • sign a service contract
   • a service contract with someone
   • under a service contract

   The hospital signed service contracts with three cleaning companies.

   Our service contracts come up for renewal every January.

   She works under a service contract, not as a permanent employee.

2. 2nounpluralbusinesslegal

   Legal agreements that set out the terms for maintaining equipment or providing ongoing help.

   Grammar: Often used in business and legal writing; the singular form is used for one agreement.

   Patterns

   • a maintenance service contract
   • a service contract for something
   • break a service contract

   The photocopier comes with a two-year service contract.

   They broke the service contract by missing three repair visits.

   Please read the service contract before you agree to the monthly fee.

Word forms

Common combinations

sign a service contract

We signed a service contract with a local security firm.

renew a service contract

The council voted to renew the service contract for another year.

a service contract with someone

They have a service contract with the same IT company.

under a service contract

All the drivers work under a service contract.

break a service contract

If you break the service contract, you may have to pay a fee.

Synonyms and how they differ

service agreement

Almost the same, but often used for a less formal or shorter document.

maintenance contract

Focuses only on keeping equipment in good condition, not on other services.

retainer

A regular payment to keep a professional available; it may not involve a full written contract.

Word family

service noun

Work done for a customer or the act of helping someone.

contract noun

A formal written agreement between two or more parties.

contractor noun

A person or company that does work under a contract.

Commonly confused: service contracts or contact?

Practice

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