have to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express an obligation or necessity to make a payment. Example: "If you want to attend the concert, you have to pay for your ticket in advance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have to pay attention".

The New York Times - Sports

You have to pay attention.

The New Yorker

They also have to pay.

Independent

milage have to pay taxes.

The New Yorker

They have to pay taxes".

The New Yorker

You just have to pay.

The New York Times

I would have to pay".

The New York Times

"We have to pay for everything ourselves.

The Economist

"But you have to pay your dues.

The New York Times - Sports

Yes — you have to pay for it.

The New York Times

Who would have to pay the compensation?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have to pay", ensure the context clearly specifies what is being paid for and who is responsible for the payment.

Common error

Avoid using "have to pay" without specifying the object or service being paid for. For example, instead of saying "You have to pay", specify "You have to pay the rent" or "You have to pay for the tickets."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have to pay" functions as a modal verb construction indicating obligation or necessity to perform an action involving payment. Ludwig's examples show a wide variety of contexts where this obligation arises, from paying taxes to settling bills.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "have to pay" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate an obligation or necessity to make a payment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure the payment context is clear and specific. Alternatives such as "must pay" or "need to pay" can be used depending on the desired level of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must pay

Indicates a stronger obligation or requirement to pay.

need to pay

Suggests a necessity to pay, often implying a lack of choice.

are required to pay

Emphasizes a formal or legal requirement for payment.

are obliged to pay

Highlights a moral or legal duty to pay.

are liable to pay

Indicates legal responsibility for payment.

are compelled to pay

Suggests being forced or driven to pay.

should pay

Suggests a recommendation or expectation to pay.

ought to pay

Indicates a moral or social obligation to pay.

are expected to pay

Implies a common or anticipated need to pay.

will need to pay

Forecasts a future necessity to pay.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "have to pay"?

You can use alternatives like "must pay", "need to pay", or "are required to pay" depending on the context.

How to use "have to pay" in a sentence?

You can use "have to pay" to express an obligation or necessity to make a payment. For example: "If you want to attend the concert, you have to pay for your ticket in advance."

What's the difference between "have to pay" and "get to pay"?

"Have to pay" implies an obligation or requirement, while "get to pay" implies an opportunity or privilege, often sarcastically. For example, "I have to pay taxes" vs "I get to pay for your dinner tonight" (often used when one doesn't want to pay).

Which is correct, "have to pay" or "has to pay"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "have to pay" with plural subjects (e.g. "They have to pay") and "has to pay" with singular subjects (e.g. "He has to pay").