Irregular verbs  Regular verbs

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pay, pays, paying, paid

Synonyms: compensate, remunerate, settle, expend, spend

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Antonyms: receive, charge, take, owe, default

The Verb Pay – Definition, Usage, and Clarification


The verb pay is a very common irregular verb. Its core meaning is to give someone money for work done or for goods received. Figuratively, it means to give attention, a compliment, or to suffer a consequence.


VERB FORMS


■ Base Form: pay
■ Past Simple: paid
■ Past Participle: paid
■ Present Participle/Gerund: paying


USAGE AND CONTEXT


'Pay' is a fundamental verb in daily life, used in financial, social, and figurative contexts.


1. Financial Transactions
This is the most direct and common meaning.


■ Goods/Services: 'How would you like to pay for your groceries?'
■ Salary: 'The company pays its employees on the last Friday of the month.'
■ Debt: 'He needs to pay back the loan he took from the bank.'


2. Figurative and Idiomatic Use
This involves 'giving' something other than money.


■ Attention: 'You need to pay attention in class if you want to pass the exam.'
■ Compliment/Visit: 'She paid him a compliment on his new suit.' / 'Let's pay a visit to our grandparents this weekend.'
■ Consequences: 'He made a terrible mistake and now he must pay the price.'


ℹ IMPORTANT: COMMON PHRASES AND PREPOSITIONS


■ Pay for: Used for the item or service received. (e.g., 'Pay for the meal.')
■ Pay + Person: Directly giving money to someone. (e.g., 'Pay the cashier.')
■ Pay off: To finish paying a debt completely. (e.g., 'She finally paid off her student loans.')
■ It pays to...: An idiom meaning it is worthwhile or advantageous to do something. (e.g., 'It pays to be honest.')