agree to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing financial obligations or commitments in a contract or agreement. Example: "After reviewing the terms, I am ready to agree to pay the specified amount by the due date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But why does anybody agree to pay it?

Cornell University

"So instead, they agree to pay back the occupation loan.

The New York Times

Think of a labor union that wants to convince company management to agree to pay increases.

Harvard University

Click the checkbox next to I agree to pay the total above.

Columbia University

Rogers said Mississippi State did not agree to pay for Newton.

The New York Times - Sports

These organizations effectively agree to pay out if one side of the original trade cannot pay.

The New York Times

WHO is David Karp? HOW much did Yahoo agree to pay to buy Tumblr?

The New York Times

Nicephorus was forced to agree to pay a yearly tribute of 30,000 gold pieces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But they continue to agree to pay more and more for sports.

The New York Times

But we stood our ground and they had to agree to pay the taxes they owed.

Independent

Did the banks agree to pay some of the money MBIA says it is owed?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When drafting contracts, use "agree to pay" to clearly state a party's obligation. Ensure the amount, currency, and payment terms are explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid stating only that someone "agrees to pay" without specifying what they are paying for, the amount, or the payment schedule. Always include clear details to prevent disputes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "agree to pay" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an acceptance of a financial obligation or commitment. Ludwig shows that this phrase is commonly used in various contexts to denote a promise or obligation to make a payment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

24%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Science

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agree to pay" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate the acceptance of a financial obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently found in news, academic, and business contexts, denoting a formal commitment to make a payment. While alternatives like "promise to pay" or "commit to payment" exist, "agree to pay" is a direct and widely understood expression. When using this phrase, it's crucial to specify the details of the payment to avoid ambiguity. It has a neutral-to-professional tone. Ludwig examples show usage across diverse contexts, from legal agreements to general discussions of financial responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promise to pay

A more direct and straightforward expression of commitment to pay.

consent to payment

Replaces the verb "agree" with "consent" and uses the noun form of "pay", focusing on the acceptance of payment.

commit to payment

Emphasizes the commitment to making a payment, rather than just agreeing.

assent to paying

Uses "assent" as a more formal synonym for "agree", with a slight shift in tone.

undertake to pay

Implies a formal promise or obligation to pay.

pledge to pay

Highlights a solemn promise or commitment to pay, often used in more serious contexts.

vow to pay

Suggests a strong, determined commitment to fulfill the payment.

accept responsibility for payment

Focuses on accepting the obligation to pay, rather than just agreeing.

decide to pay

Implies a deliberate choice to pay, rather than a simple agreement.

be willing to pay

Indicates a willingness or readiness to pay, without necessarily implying a formal agreement.

FAQs

How can I use "agree to pay" in a sentence?

You can use "agree to pay" to show acceptance of a financial obligation. For example: "I "agree to pay" the full amount by the due date".

What are some alternatives to "agree to pay"?

Alternatives include "promise to pay", "commit to payment", or "undertake to pay", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Which is correct: "agree to pay" or "agrees to pay"?

"Agree to pay" is used with plural subjects or "I", while "agrees to pay" is used with singular subjects in the third person. For example: "They "agree to pay"" vs. "He "agrees to pay"".

What's the difference between "agree to pay" and "willing to pay"?

"Agree to pay" indicates a formal acceptance of an obligation, while "willing to pay" suggests a readiness or openness to paying, but not necessarily a binding commitment.