Pay interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Pay interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts when referring to the act of making interest payments on a loan or investment. Example: "To avoid penalties, you must pay interest on your outstanding balance by the due date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must pay interest.

The New York Times

We have to pay interest on it.

The New York Times

You pay interest on the interest.

The Guardian

"I don't want to pay interest.

The New York Times

Deposits, which normally pay interest, can now incur a charge.

The Economist

"It increases it, because you have to pay interest".

The New York Times

All big central banks now pay interest on reserves.

The Economist

You pay interest on the interest on the interest.

The Guardian

California requires insurers to pay interest on late payments.

The New York Times

You don't pay interest on an unarranged overdraft.

The Guardian - Money

A short must borrow stock in order to sell it, and pay interest when he does.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial obligations, use the phrase "Pay interest" to clearly indicate the act of fulfilling interest payments on loans, debts, or investments.

Common error

Avoid using "Pay interest" when you mean to say "Earn interest". "Pay interest" refers to the act of giving money as interest, while "Earn interest" refers to receiving money as interest on a deposit or investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Pay interest" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "pay" is the verb and "interest" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the action of disbursing a sum of money as interest. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Pay interest" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of fulfilling financial obligations by disbursing money as interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. While generally neutral in register, its inherent financial nature makes it most suitable for professional communication. When using the phrase "Pay interest", ensure you are referring to the act of giving money as interest, and not receiving it. Alternatives like "make interest payments" or "remit interest" can be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Make interest payments

Focuses on the action of making a payment specifically for interest owed.

Remit interest

A more formal term for sending or paying interest.

Settle interest dues

Emphasizes the act of resolving outstanding interest obligations.

Discharge interest obligations

Highlights the fulfillment of the duty to pay interest.

Service the interest

Implies managing or handling the interest payments on a debt.

Cover the interest

Indicates providing funds to pay the interest.

Clear interest charges

Focuses on removing or eliminating interest-related expenses.

Defray interest costs

Implies bearing or funding the expenses associated with interest.

Liquidate interest liability

Describes the process of converting assets to cash in order to pay off interest debt.

Honor interest commitments

Emphasizes the fulfillment of agreements to pay interest.

FAQs

How do I properly use "Pay interest" in a sentence?

Use "Pay interest" to describe the action of making a payment on a loan, debt, or other financial obligation. For example: "You must "pay interest" on your mortgage each month".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "Pay interest"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "make interest payments", "remit interest", or "service the debt".

Which is correct: "Pay interest" or "Paying interest"?

"Pay interest" is generally used as an infinitive or imperative form, while "paying interest" is the present participle form. For example, "You must "pay interest"" (infinitive) vs. "He is "paying interest"" (present participle).

What's the difference between "Pay interest" and "Accrue interest"?

"Pay interest" refers to the actual act of making a payment, while "Accrue interest" refers to the accumulation of interest over time. You "pay interest" on a loan, and interest "accrues on the loan".