pay for: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral
Quick answer
What does “pay for” mean?
to give money to cover the cost of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to give money to cover the cost of something.
to suffer a negative consequence as a result of one's actions; to cover the expense of something for someone else.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Usage is identical.
Connotations
Identical in both dialects.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “pay for” in a Sentence
[Subject] + pay for + [Direct Object (thing/cost)][Subject] + pay for + [Direct Object] + with + [Instrument][Subject] + will pay for + [Direct Object (action/mistake)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pay for” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- My uncle offered to pay for my driving lessons.
- If you break that vase, you'll pay for it!
American English
- My dad said he'd pay for my college textbooks.
- He's going to pay for what he did to us.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The company will pay for the employee's relocation.
Academic
The grant pays for all research materials.
Everyday
Can I pay for the groceries with my card?
Technical
The algorithm pays for itself in efficiency gains.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pay for”
- *I will pay the dinner. (Incorrect) -> I will pay for the dinner. (Correct)
- *She paid the mistake. (Incorrect) -> She paid for the mistake. (Correct)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Pay' is often followed by the person receiving the money (pay me, pay the waiter) or the specific bill (pay the bill). 'Pay for' is followed by the item or service being purchased (pay for the meal, pay for the tickets).
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically to mean 'suffer the consequences of' (e.g., 'He will pay for his mistakes').
No, it is a phrasal verb that is not usually separated. We say 'pay for something,' not 'pay something for.'
'For' is the required preposition when referring to the thing purchased. The construction is 'pay for + object.'
to give money to cover the cost of something.
Pay for is usually neutral in register.
Pay for: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪ fɔː(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪ fɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “You'll pay for this!”
- “pay for someone's sins”
- “pay dearly for”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PAY FOR = Provide Amount Yen For Object Required.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESPONSIBILITY IS A FINANCIAL DEBT (e.g., 'He will pay for his crimes').
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'His arrogance made him pay for the failed deal,' what does 'pay for' mean?