“Pay” vs. “Pay For”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “pay” and “pay for”

  • "Pay" is a general term that denotes the act of providing monetary compensation, while "pay for" specifically emphasizes the purpose or object for which the payment is made.
  • The addition of "for" in "pay for" clarifies the purpose or recipient of the payment, providing more context and specificity compared to the broader term "pay."
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What is the definition of “pay” and “pay for”?

Pay
  • Pay means to give money in exchange for something received.
  • It can also refer to giving someone their due compensation for work or services rendered.
  • Pay can be used as a verb or a noun in a sentence.
Pay for
  • "Pay for" is a phrasal verb that means to provide monetary compensation specifically in exchange for acquiring or covering the cost of something.
  • It emphasizes the direct relationship between the payment and the item or service being acquired, highlighting the purpose or object for which the payment is made.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Pay” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Pay
4,130,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. I need to pay my rent by the end of the month.
  2. He always forgets to pay his bills on time.
  3. Can you pay me back the money I lent you last week?
Pay for
646,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She offered to pay for our dinner at the restaurant.
  2. I'm going to pay for my brother's tuition fees next semester.
  3. Did you remember to pay for the concert tickets we bought yesterday?
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