as a payback

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a payback" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a return or compensation for a previous action, often in a context of revenge or reciprocity. Example: "He helped me with my project, and I plan to assist him as a payback for his kindness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"We've erased several years of growth, more than anything that you would expect as a payback for 2000".

The New York Times

Zimmerman added, "I know that there will be a few selectors who will utter no word for or against him but will withhold their vote as a payback".

The New York Times - Sports

In the summers of the late 50's, I worked in the store as a payback to my parents, who were paying my collage expenses.

The New York Times

He is scheduled to distribute free books in five other favelas and hold a free photo workshop for teenagers in an effort he describes as "a payback and pay forward gesture to the Rio community".

The New York Times

The biggest scandal, Mr. Schmitt said, is that Mr. Sylver's economic development agencies used public funds as a payback to a law firm with close ties to Mr. Suozzi.

The New York Times

That provision, business lobbyists said today, was included mainly as a "payback" to small-business groups that had been angered when a similar provision was dropped from Mr. Bush's 2001 tax-cutting bill at the last moment.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

If it is mass produced up to a scale of 14.8 Mt hydrogen per day, then the selling price of hydrogen becomes as low as $2/kg with a payback period of 10 years.

Chemical Engineering Science

An efficiency up to 60% and a payback period as low as 4.5 years is possible with an optimised collector incorporating a 10 mm thick granular aerogel cover.

Energy and Buildings

The news could be seen as something of a payback.

The New York Times

Yesterday morning, Valentine had declared that the Mets' five straight victories were not so much a streak as they were a payback for a first half of bad breaks.

The New York Times - Sports

New Yorkers who supported the plan seemed to view it as a temporal rebate — a payback of time they'd lost, rather than a bequest of time that wasn't theirs to begin with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a payback" when you want to emphasize that an action is being done specifically in return for something else, whether it's a positive act of gratitude or a negative act of revenge. This phrasing makes the motivation very clear.

Common error

Avoid using "as a payback" when simply acknowledging a favor. If the action is purely reciprocal and without a strong sense of obligation or retribution, phrases like "in return" or "as compensation" may be more appropriate. "As a payback" often carries a connotation of settling a debt or righting a wrong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a payback" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to explain the reason or motivation behind an action. It indicates that something is done in return for a previous action, whether positive or negative. This is supported by Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a payback" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to express the motivation behind an action, indicating it is done in return for something else. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides various examples of its use. While generally neutral in register, it is more common in News & Media and less frequent in formal contexts. Related phrases include "in return" and "as recompense", offering alternative ways to convey reciprocity or retribution. When writing, use "as a payback" to clearly emphasize the reciprocal nature of an action, but be mindful of the potential connotation of obligation or retaliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in return

This alternative is a general phrase indicating a reciprocal action or gesture.

as recompense

This alternative suggests a more formal compensation or amends for something.

as compensation

This alternative specifically implies providing something to offset a loss or harm.

in retaliation

This alternative focuses on revenge or punishment for a wrong action.

as a reprisal

This alternative also indicates a retaliatory action, often in a more formal or political context.

as a requital

This alternative means making appropriate return for a benefit or service.

to get even

This alternative conveys the idea of seeking revenge or settling a score.

as a countermeasure

This alternative implies an action taken to neutralize or offset another action.

to settle the score

This alternative is an idiom that means to retaliate or get revenge.

as a quid pro quo

This alternative is a Latin term meaning something for something, suggesting a direct exchange of favors or benefits.

FAQs

How can I use "as a payback" in a sentence?

You can use "as a payback" to indicate that an action is being done in return for something else, such as "He helped me move, so I'm helping him with his taxes "as a payback"".

What can I say instead of "as a payback"?

You can use alternatives like "in return", "as recompense", or "as compensation" depending on the context.

Is "as a payback" formal or informal?

"As a payback" leans towards the informal side but can be used in neutral contexts. For very formal situations, consider alternatives like "as recompense" or "as restitution".

What's the difference between "as a payback" and "in return"?

"As a payback" often implies a specific and direct response to a previous action, sometimes with a hint of obligation or retaliation. "In return" is a more general term for reciprocity without necessarily carrying the same weight of settling a debt or wrong.