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The verb to pay in English: 3 forms
03.05.2024
4 minutes to read
The verb 'to pay' is one of the key words in the English language, which plays an important role in everyday communication. In this article we will look at its three main forms, as well as its usage and features in different contexts.
Table of contents
The verb “to pay” plays a key role in everyday life and in business. Its meaning ranges from financial transactions to obligations and compensation. Here are a few aspects of the meaning of this verb:
Financial transactions: refers to the process of transferring money for goods or services. This could be payment for purchases at a store, payment of utility bills, rent, or tolls.
Compensation for services: also related to payment for services that have been rendered. For example, an employer may pay for the services of its employees, or a client may pay for the services of their attorney or doctor.
Payment of remuneration or compensation: can be used to refer to the payment of remuneration or compensation for damages caused to someone or something. This can include insurance payments, damages, or even compensation for loss of earnings.
Pay off debts: to repay debts or obligations. People may “pay off” debts, loans, or credits to pay back money that was previously loaned to them.
Portable meaning: can be used figuratively, denoting the payment of some price or consequence for something. For example, “he paid a high price for his mistakes” means that he faced negative consequences for his actions.
In general, the verb “to pay” is widely used in everyday language to refer to monetary transactions, compensation and refunds, as well as to express more abstract ideas about price or consequences.
Meaning of the verb to pay
3 basic forms of the verb to pay
Pay (present tense): This is the main form of the verb used to express action in the present tense. It is often used with nouns or pronouns in the singular. For example: “I pay my bills online.” In this example, “pay” is in the form corresponding to the subject “I”.
Paid (past tense): This is a verb form used to describe an action that has already happened in the past. It is formed by adding the suffix “-ed” to the base form of the verb “pay”. For example: “She paid for her groceries yesterday.” Here “paid” indicates that the action of paying (paid) has already been completed in the past.
Paying (deutero/process): This verb form is used when the verb acts as part of a compound tense or expresses an unfinished action. It is formed by adding the ending “-ing” to the base form of the verb “pay”. For example: “He is paying for his mistakes.” Here “paying” indicates the process of payment that is taking place at the moment or over a period of time.
The verb “pay” is used in a variety of contexts related to financial transactions, compensation and reimbursements. Here are some typical situations where the verb “pay” is used:
Payment for goods and services: This is the most common context of using the verb “pay”. People pay for store purchases, restaurant services, transportation passes, and more.Paying bills and bills for services: People also pay for utilities such as electricity, water, gas, internet and cell phone service by paying bills.
Payment of wages: Employers pay their employees for the work they have done, usually through a wire transfer or check.
Compensation for services or damages: People may pay for lawyers, doctors, or repairmen. There are also payments to compensate for damages, such as in the case of a car accident or medical error.
Repaying debts and loans: People may pay monthly installments on mortgage or credit card debts to pay off their obligations to creditors.
Transferring money: Transferring money to other people or to accounts at other banks also requires the use of the verb “pay”.
Thus, the verb “pay” is used in a wide range of situations involving finances and obligations.
When the verb pay is used
The verb “pay” has several grammatical features that are important for correct usage:
Time forms: Like many other English verbs, “pay” has several time forms, including present, past, and future tenses. This allows the action of paying to be expressed in different tenses.Person and number forms: The verb “pay” changes depending on the person and number of the subject. For example, “I pay”, “he pays”.
Auxiliary verbs: Compound tenses and continuous action forms use auxiliary verbs. For example, “I am paying”, “She has paid”.
Infinitive and gerund: “Pay” can be used with either an infinitive (e.g. “to pay”) or a gerund (e.g. “paying”). It depends on how it is used in the sentence and what grammatical construction is required.
Passive Voice Forms: The verb “pay” can also be used in the passive voice to express who performs the action of paying. For example, “The bill was paid by John.”
Thus, in order to use the verb “pay” correctly, it is important to consider its grammatical features in the context of time, person and number, as well as the ability to work with infinitives, gerunds and passive voice.
Grammatical features
Here are some examples of using the verb “pay” in sentences with translation:
She pays her rent on time every month.We paid for our meal at the restaurant last night.
He will have to pay a fine for parking illegally.
I'm paying my credit card bill online.
The company pays its employees twice a month.
In these examples, the verb “pay” is used in various contexts related to financial transactions and obligations and describes the process of payment or compensation.
Examples
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