- Do you ever struggle to decide between “pay attention” and “give attention”?
- Is it “pay a visit” or “make a visit” when you want to see someone?
- How do native English speakers talk about settling bills or showing respect in the most natural way?
Understanding collocations—words that commonly go together—is a crucial step towards sounding fluent and natural in English. Instead of translating word-for-word, learning collocations like those with “pay” helps you grasp the idiomatic expressions that native speakers use every day, reducing your language anxiety and boosting your confidence. Let’s dive into how to use “pay” like a pro!
Common Collocations with PAY as a Verb
When used as a verb, “pay” often means to give money for something, or to give attention, a visit, or respect. It’s a highly versatile word!
Financial Transactions and Obligations
These collocations relate to the act of giving money for goods, services, or to settle debts.
- pay a bill: “I need to pay the electricity bill before Friday.”
- pay a debt (off): “After years of hard work, she finally managed to pay off her student debt.”
- pay a fine: “He had to pay a parking fine for leaving his car in a no-parking zone.”
- pay the rent/mortgage: “We always pay the rent on the first of the month.”
- pay cash: “Most street vendors prefer if you pay cash.”
- pay by credit card/debit card: “For online purchases, it’s convenient to pay by credit card.”
- pay a deposit: “You usually have to pay a deposit when you rent an apartment.”
- pay in full: “To avoid interest, I decided to pay the balance in full.”
- pay in installments: “The new car can be paid for in installments over three years.”
- pay good money (for something): “I paid good money for this concert ticket, so I expect a great show!” (Informal, means expensive)
- pay a fortune: “They paid a fortune for that house in the city center.” (Informal, means extremely expensive)
Attention, Respect, and Courtesy
These collocations involve directing your focus or showing honor.
- pay attention (to): “Students, please pay attention to the safety instructions.”
- pay a compliment (to): “He paid her a sincere compliment on her presentation skills.”
- pay tribute (to): “The documentary paid tribute to the pioneering scientists in the field.”
- pay respects (to): “We attended the funeral to pay our last respects to the deceased.”
- pay heed (to): “It’s wise to pay heed to expert advice when making big decisions.” (Slightly formal)
Visits and Calls
These phrases describe making a visit to someone or somewhere.
- pay a visit (to): “We plan to pay a visit to our grandparents this weekend.”
- pay a call (on): “The doctor paid a call on his elderly patient to check on her recovery.” (More traditional, often implies a brief, professional visit)
Consequences and Sacrifices
These collocations relate to experiencing the results of actions, often negative ones.
- pay a price (for): “The company paid a heavy price for its unethical practices, losing many customers.”
- pay the consequences (for): “If you break the rules, you’ll have to pay the consequences.”
- pay dearly (for): “They paid dearly for their lack of preparation in the competition.”
Essential Collocations using PAY as a Noun
As a noun, “pay” refers to money received for work, or the act of paying.
Related to Salary and Wages
These terms describe different types or levels of remuneration for work.
- high pay / low pay: “She’s looking for a job with high pay and good benefits.”
- annual pay: “His annual pay increased by 7% this year.”
- hourly pay: “Many part-time positions offer hourly pay.”
- basic pay: “Her basic pay is supplemented by performance bonuses.”
- take-home pay: “After taxes and deductions, my take-home pay is significantly less than my gross salary.”
- pay increase / pay rise: “Employees are negotiating for a substantial pay increase (US) / pay rise (UK) this year.”
- equal pay: “The company is committed to equal pay for equal work.”
Related to Payment Systems and Benefits
These collocations specify particular types of payments or entitlements.
- sick pay: “He received sick pay for the two weeks he was off work due to illness.”
- holiday pay: “Workers are entitled to holiday pay during their vacation.”
- overtime pay: “Working extra hours qualifies you for overtime pay.”
- severance pay: “After the company restructuring, many employees received severance pay.”
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Pay a bill | Verb | Settle a financial obligation for services |
| Pay attention | Verb | Focus, concentrate |
| Pay a compliment | Verb | Express admiration or praise |
| Pay a visit | Verb | Visit someone or a place |
| Pay respects | Verb | Show honor or deference, often at a funeral |
| Pay the price | Verb | Suffer the negative consequences |
| Pay by credit card | Verb | Use a credit card for payment |
| High pay | Noun | A large salary or wage |
| Pay increase | Noun | An increment in salary |
| Sick pay | Noun | Wages received while absent due to illness |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Learning common collocations helps you avoid direct translations that might sound unnatural to a native speaker.
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Give attention | Pay attention |
| Make a visit | Pay a visit |
| Give a compliment | Pay a compliment |
| Do a debt | Pay a debt / Pay off a debt |
| Return respects | Pay respects |
| Take a fine | Pay a fine |
| My salary pay | My pay / My salary |
| Cost the consequences | Pay the consequences |
| Give a price | Pay a price |
| Make a call (for a visit) | Pay a call / Pay a visit |
During our team meeting, Sarah emphasized the importance of ensuring every customer receives excellent service. She encouraged us to always pay attention to feedback, saying that ignoring it could make us pay a heavy price in the long run. I agreed, and took the opportunity to pay a compliment to her team for their recent outstanding performance. Thanks to their efforts, the company is doing well, and we’re hoping for a good pay increase for everyone next quarter. It truly shows that hard work can lead to great take-home pay. We even discussed the possibility of extending sick pay benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pay Collocations
Can I say “give attention” instead of “pay attention”?
While “give attention” is grammatically understandable, “pay attention” is the standard and most natural collocation in modern English for focusing on something. Using “pay attention” will sound more idiomatic and natural to native speakers.
What’s the difference between “pay a visit” and “visit”?
Both are correct. “Visit” is a general verb. “Pay a visit” often sounds slightly more formal or polite, or it emphasizes the act of making a deliberate trip to see someone or go somewhere. For example, “I’m visiting my parents this weekend” is common, but “I decided to pay a visit to my old university” emphasizes a purposeful journey.
Are there specific prepositions commonly used with “pay”?
Yes, several! You commonly use “pay for” (e.g., pay for the meal), “pay by” (e.g., pay by credit card), and “pay in” (e.g., pay in cash, pay in installments). “Pay to” can indicate the recipient of the money (e.g., pay money to the bank).
Is “pay a compliment” still commonly used, or is it old-fashioned?
“Pay a compliment” is still very much in current use and sounds natural and polite. It’s a common and well-understood way to express giving praise or admiration.
When should I use “pay off” versus just “pay”?
“Pay off” is a phrasal verb that means to pay a debt completely (e.g., pay off a mortgage, pay off student loans). “Pay” is more general, referring to the act of giving money for goods, services, or making a single payment on a debt, but not necessarily clearing the entire sum. For example, you “pay a bill” (a single payment), but you “pay off a loan” (the entire amount over time).
What’s the difference between “pay increase” (US) and “pay rise” (UK)?
Both terms mean an increase in salary. “Pay increase” is predominantly used in American English, while “pay rise” is standard in British English. Both are widely understood globally, but choosing the appropriate one can help you sound more natural depending on your audience or the regional context.
What about 'pay your respects'? Does it mean the same as 'show your respects'? Or is there a slight difference?
Another excellent query, Isabelle! Both 'pay your respects' and 'show your respects' convey the idea of expressing honor or admiration, especially in a formal context like a funeral or memorial. 'Pay your respects' is perhaps slightly more common and idiomatic, often implying a visit or direct action to do so. 'Show your respects' is also perfectly understandable and correct, often used when the act of showing respect is more general. You can use either, but 'pay' often feels a bit more natural in this context!
This blog post is exactly why I subscribe to Translateen.com. Always clear, always practical, always boosting my confidence. Keep them coming!
Are there any 'pay' collocations that are very specific to US or UK English? Sometimes I worry about sounding too American or too British if I pick the wrong one.
That's a very insightful question, Mei! For the 'pay' collocations mentioned in this article (e.g., 'pay attention,' 'pay a visit,' 'pay a bill'), there isn't a significant difference in usage between US and UK English; they are universally understood and used. Regional variations tend to appear more with specific vocabulary or slang, rather than these common collocations. You're safe to use these across the board!
I appreciate the emphasis on 'sounding natural.' That's always my goal. Collocations like these are the hidden gems of English learning.
This reminds me of a common mistake my students make when translating directly from Russian. They often try to 'give attention' instead of 'pay attention.' I'll be sharing this article with them!
It's a very common challenge across many languages, Svetlana! We're delighted to know this article will be a valuable tool for your students. Highlighting these differences helps learners avoid literal translations and embrace natural English expressions. Happy teaching!
Is 'pay a visit' considered formal or informal? Can I use it in any situation?
That's a great question about register, Omar! 'Pay a visit' is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's a polite and natural way to say you're going to visit someone or somewhere. You can use it confidently in most situations!
I used to think 'pay' was only about money! This article really opened my eyes to its other uses. It's like discovering a secret level in English fluency. Super informative!
The example 'pay the electricity bill before Friday' is perfect. I struggle with remembering specific nouns that go with verbs. This is really practical for everyday use.
What about 'pay tribute'? Is that also a collocation with 'pay' for showing respect or honor? Just curious if it fits this category.
Absolutely, Chloe! 'Pay tribute' is another fantastic example of 'pay' being used to express respect or honor, often to a person or an idea, especially after their passing or for a significant achievement. It perfectly fits the category of 'giving respect.' Well done for thinking of it!
I love how you explain the 'why' behind these collocations, not just listing them. Understanding that they help reduce language anxiety is a huge motivator for me. Thank you, Translateen.com!