bother to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bother to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether someone is willing to make the effort to pay for something, often implying that it may not be worth the trouble. Example: "I didn't think it was worth it to bother to pay for the premium subscription when the free version suffices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Don't bother to pay me an advance".

The New Yorker

"That they would bother to pay attention to our little organization — I'm amazed," she said.

The New Yorker

The levy is only voluntary, however, and many companies simply do not bother to pay it.

The Guardian - Sport

Technology companies often don't bother to pay one.But a look at history should disabuse investors of that notion.

The Economist

As usual, his character takes the position that America need not bother to pay attention to other parts of the world.

The New Yorker

Some may rightly begin to ask themselves, why bother to pay taxes into a public system that is not there for them when they need help?

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Why had he bothered to pay three hundred bucks?

The New Yorker

Nowadays, we can barely be bothered to pay attention to the larger workings of the universe.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why should I bother if they can't be bothered?" He continued: "They can't be bothered to pay me.

The Guardian

No one has bothered to pay much attention to the Crohn's, and everyone is quick to jump to conclusions.

The New York Times - Health

But at the end of the year, she recalled, the husband in the house returned that money, saying he had not bothered to pay it into Social Security.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bother to pay" when you want to express that the value or benefit received may not be worth the effort or cost of payment. It often carries a tone of skepticism or questioning the necessity of paying.

Common error

Avoid using "bother to pay" in very formal or professional settings where a more direct or neutral expression is preferable. Opt for phrases like "make the payment" or "settle the account" for a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bother to pay" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing a decision regarding whether to undertake the action of paying for something. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable. This is often used rhetorically to question the necessity or value of making a payment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bother to pay" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to question the value or necessity of paying for something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly news and media. While versatile, be mindful of its potentially informal tone, especially in professional settings. Alternatives such as "make the effort to pay" or more direct language is preferable when in professional settings. It's also useful to understand the function and frequency from the authoritative resources listed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make the effort to pay

Focuses on the effort involved in paying, emphasizing the action of willingly expending energy.

take the trouble to pay

Highlights the inconvenience or difficulty one might avoid by not paying.

go to the expense of paying

Emphasizes the cost or financial burden associated with making the payment.

be willing to pay

Focuses on willingness and intent rather than the effort.

find it worthwhile to pay

Highlights the perceived value or benefit gained from making the payment.

deem it necessary to pay

Emphasizes the need or requirement to make a payment.

consider paying

Involves thinking about the possibility of paying, indicating uncertainty.

feel inclined to pay

Implies a desire or urge to pay, suggesting a personal preference.

care to pay

Expresses whether one is interested or willing to make a payment.

trouble oneself to pay

Emphasizes reluctance and minimal effort.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the question "Why bother to pay?"

You can rephrase it to "Why "make the effort to pay"?", "Why "is it worth paying"?", or "What's the point of paying?". These alternatives maintain the original meaning while using different wording.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "bother to pay"?

It's suitable when questioning the necessity or value of paying for something, especially when the benefits are unclear or seem minimal. It's often used in informal or conversational contexts.

Is "bother to pay" grammatically correct?

Yes, "bother to pay" is grammatically correct. It uses "bother" as a verb followed by the infinitive "to pay". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

What's a more formal alternative to "bother to pay"?

For a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "make the payment", "settle the account", or "undertake the expense". These options are more suitable for professional or business communications.