are having to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are having to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is currently required to make a payment or is facing a financial obligation. Example: "Due to the unexpected expenses, they are having to pay more than they initially budgeted for their vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But, with users reluctant to give details, they are having to pay for the rest.

The Economist

They are having to pay, after all, for the indebtedness of their parents' generation.

Independent

People are having to pay a bigger piece of their health plan costs.

The New York Times

As investors flee risk in any form, less creditworthy companies are having to pay more to borrow.

The Economist

Even airlines with healthy balance sheets, such as American and Southwest, are having to pay 10-11% on secured debt.

The Economist

That means students are having to pay for a higher share of the costs of their education.

The New York Times

At the moment, it's like the families of Omagh are having to pay the price for peace.

Independent

Increasingly, it is claimed, they are having to pay inflated rents to landlords to find suitable homes for tenants.

The Guardian

And what I am seeing here is quite the opposite: the most vulnerable are having to pay for these cuts".

The Guardian

A decade ago growers were paying $50 a hive, now they are having to pay up to $200 or more.

The Guardian

Fire and police and first response services are going down, and local people are having to pay for that.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When emphasizing the ongoing nature or duration of the payment obligation, "are having to pay" is particularly suitable. Use it to highlight that the payment is not a one-time event.

Common error

Avoid using "are having to pay" when a simple present tense like "must pay" or "need to pay" suffices. The continuous tense is best reserved for situations where the payment is a recurring or ongoing burden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are having to pay" functions as a present continuous construction expressing an ongoing obligation or necessity. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous real-world examples where individuals, businesses, or entities are currently facing the requirement to make payments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are having to pay" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction in English, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig confirms, it effectively communicates an ongoing obligation to make a payment, often due to external factors or changing circumstances. While versatile, it's crucial to use the continuous tense accurately, reserving it for situations where the payment obligation is indeed ongoing. For different nuances, consider alternatives such as "must pay" or "are required to pay". In conclusion, the expression "are having to pay" is a valuable linguistic tool that you can use to communicate the necessity of payment with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must pay

Replaces the continuous tense with a more direct obligation.

are required to pay

Emphasizes the requirement or obligation to pay.

need to pay

Indicates a need or necessity for payment.

are obliged to pay

Formal alternative emphasizing a legal or moral obligation.

have to pay

More informal contraction of "have got to pay".

are forced to pay

Highlights a lack of choice or external pressure.

are compelled to pay

Similar to "forced", but slightly more formal.

are liable to pay

Emphasizes legal responsibility for payment.

are responsible for paying

Highlights the accountability for the payment.

are in the position of paying

Indicates a situation where payment is a present reality.

FAQs

How to use "are having to pay" in a sentence?

Use "are having to pay" to indicate an ongoing obligation to pay, like in the sentence: "Due to rising costs, consumers "are having to pay" more for their energy bills".

What can I say instead of "are having to pay"?

You can use alternatives like "must pay", "are required to pay", or "need to pay" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are having to pay" or "have to pay"?

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Are having to pay" emphasizes an ongoing or current obligation, while "have to pay" is a more general statement of obligation. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "are having to pay" and "are going to pay"?

"Are having to pay" implies a current or ongoing obligation, whereas "are going to pay" indicates a future intention or plan to pay. For example, "They "are having to pay" higher taxes this year" suggests they are currently burdened with the taxes, while "They are going to pay the bill tomorrow" refers to a future action.