effectively pay for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "effectively pay for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the means or methods by which a payment is made or justified, often implying efficiency or appropriateness in the context of the transaction. Example: "The new budget will effectively pay for the necessary upgrades to our software systems."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

JPMorgan's intent was to effectively pay for those shares with money received from selling other securities that were issued under the deal.

The New York Times

Local councils collectively have to shell out some £25m a year to dispose of the unrecycled plastic bottles, so we consumers effectively pay for them twice over.

The Guardian

In a pooled pension fund, employees who die before collecting much of a pension effectively pay for the benefits of those who live longer.

The New York Times

One lesson of the crisis has been that countries like Ireland and Spain were not equipped to regulate their banks effectively, pay for the bailouts that were needed or guarantee customer deposits in order to prevent bank runs.

The New York Times

In response to the proposals in the Policy Exchange report, he added: "Many employers do effectively pay for that time by leaving salaries unchanged, but it has to be voluntary, as many smaller firms couldn't afford to pay".

BBC

Renters in these buildings, who effectively pay for their utilities with their monthly rent, pay the same no matter how much water they consume.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"The American government is effectively paying for many projects here".

The New York Times - Arts

The first apparent advantage of this structure was that it effectively paid for itself.

The New York Times

Your employer is effectively paying for you to become more employable.

The Guardian

(Unlike a golf course, he added, it's an amenity "that effectively pays for itself").

The New York Times

It's been a long time, for example, since people effectively paid for their spouses with dowries.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "effectively pay for", ensure the context clearly indicates the method or means by which the payment or cost coverage is achieved. For example, specify what actions or resources are contributing to covering the cost.

Common error

Avoid using "effectively pay for" when the payment method is uncertain or lacks a clear connection to the outcome. Ensure a direct relationship exists between the action and the coverage of costs, rather than simply implying a possibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "effectively pay for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a means by which a cost or expense is covered in an efficient or practical manner. This is in line with Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "effectively pay for" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that describes the efficient coverage of expenses through various means. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for diverse applications. To ensure clarity, specify the methods or resources used to cover the cost. Common errors include assuming effectiveness without a clear connection to the payment outcome. Consider alternatives like "efficiently cover the cost of", "economically finance", or "practically fund" to suit specific nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

efficiently cover the cost of

Focuses on the efficiency of covering the expense.

economically finance

Highlights the economic aspect of funding something.

practically fund

Emphasizes the practicality of the funding approach.

compensate adequately for

Stresses providing sufficient compensation.

sufficiently reimburse

Highlights the act of repaying sufficiently.

adequately cover

Indicates covering expenses to a satisfactory degree.

appropriately remunerate

Focuses on providing suitable payment.

defray the expenses

Highlights the act of providing money to meet the expenses.

absorb the costs

Implies incorporating the expenses within a budget.

offset the expenditure

Focuses on counterbalancing the spending.

FAQs

How can I use "effectively pay for" in a sentence?

Use "effectively pay for" to describe situations where resources or actions efficiently cover expenses. For instance, "Increased renewable energy production can "effectively pay for" the transition away from fossil fuels".

What are some alternatives to "effectively pay for"?

You can use alternatives like "efficiently cover the cost of", "economically finance", or "practically fund" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when something "effectively pays for itself"?

When something "effectively pays for itself", it means the benefits or savings it generates are equal to or greater than its initial cost. For example, "Installing solar panels will "effectively pay for itself" over time through reduced electricity bills".

Is there a difference between "effectively pay for" and "actually pay for"?

"Effectively pay for" implies that the payment is achieved through indirect means or efficiency, while "actually pay for" simply states that the payment is made directly. The former suggests a strategic or resourceful approach, while the latter is a more straightforward statement of fact.