collecting paychecks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "collecting paychecks" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of receiving payment for work or services rendered, often implying a routine or regular occurrence. Example: "After years of hard work, he finally felt satisfied with his job, not just collecting paychecks but also contributing to meaningful projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I'm not here collecting paychecks.

The New York Times - Sports

Those still collecting paychecks have at least stayed out of public view.

The New York Times

And with spring training under way and players collecting paychecks again, it may not be the last.

The New York Times - Sports

He resented the teammates who lacked his drive but remained in the N.B.A., collecting paychecks, accolades, even championship rings.

The New York Times - Sports

Since she stopped collecting paychecks in April, when she was fired, her luck has gone steadily downhill.

The New York Times

Mr. Simon, who has known Mr. Mills since their days on the student newspaper at the University of Maryland, is also not surprised that after 10 years of collecting paychecks from some of television's top-rated shows -- including "Homicide," "Picket Fences," "N.Y.P.D. Blue" and "E.R".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

If nothing else, hundreds of stadium workers would continue to collect paychecks.

The New York Times

At the Beau Rivage alone, 3,000 people collect paychecks, said Mary Cracchiolo Spain, the resort's spokeswoman.

The New York Times

Thousands of members of the unions that backed Notley's campaign collect paychecks extracting, upgrading, and shipping those barrels.

The New Yorker

The factory workers who collected paychecks from foreign corporations like BMW, Michelin and Hitachi concluded that tariffs were not in their best interest.

The New York Times

She said the union was scrambling to find clergy members or other volunteers to collect paychecks for workers who feared going back to the warehouse.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "collecting paychecks" when you want to convey a sense of routine employment or when contrasting it with a more fulfilling or purposeful activity.

Common error

While "collecting paychecks" is widely understood, avoid using it excessively in highly formal documents or presentations. Opt for more professional alternatives like "receiving compensation" or "earning a salary" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "collecting paychecks" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as part of a larger verb phrase. It typically describes an activity or state of being, particularly in contexts where the focus is on the routine or the financial aspect of working. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "collecting paychecks" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes the act of receiving payment for work. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and usable in written English. While it is not incorrect, it often carries a connotation of routine or a lack of deeper engagement with the job. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media, Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the context and whether a more formal alternative like "receiving compensation" or "earning a salary" might be more appropriate. Ludwig examples show that the phrase is also used to contrast with other aspects of the working activity, rather than just the economical gain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing a paycheck

Similar to the original phrase but slightly more formal.

receiving a salary

Focuses on the act of getting paid regularly, emphasizing the formal aspect of employment.

earning a wage

Highlights the effort and labor involved in gaining compensation.

getting paid

A more generic and informal way of expressing the idea of receiving payment.

making money through work

Emphasizes the process of earning income through employment.

being compensated for services

A formal and precise way of stating that payment is given for work done.

cashing in on work

Focuses on the financial gain from labor, often implying a profitable outcome.

profiting from employment

Highlights the benefits derived from having a job, emphasizing the financial aspect.

reaping financial rewards

Suggests that the payment is a positive outcome of effort and labor.

acquiring remuneration

A highly formal and technical term for receiving payment.

FAQs

How can I use "collecting paychecks" in a sentence?

You can use "collecting paychecks" to describe the act of receiving payment for work, often implying a routine or lack of deeper engagement. For example, "He felt he was just "collecting paychecks", not making a real difference."

What can I say instead of "collecting paychecks"?

You can use alternatives like "receiving a salary", "earning a wage", or "drawing a paycheck" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "collecting a paycheck" or "collecting paychecks"?

Both are correct. "Collecting a paycheck" refers to receiving an individual payment, while "collecting paychecks" refers to the ongoing process of receiving regular payments.

What's the connotation of the phrase "collecting paychecks"?

The phrase "collecting paychecks" often implies a routine or even a lack of enthusiasm for the work itself. It can suggest that someone is primarily motivated by the financial reward rather than a sense of purpose or fulfillment.