he is paying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is paying" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone is in the process of giving money or other compensation for something they have received. Example sentence: Joe is paying the bill for dinner tonight since it was his idea to go out.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Edis told the jury that it was clear "he is paying a policeman to commit a crime".

The Guardian

He is paying dearly for it.

The Economist

And now he is paying the price.

The New York Times

Now he is paying the price.

Independent

He is paying mortgages on the property.

The New York Times

And he is paying for his own car.

The New York Times

Perhaps he is paying the price for this," Fernandes said.

The Guardian - Sport

But he is paying for many of the other expenses.

The New York Times

He is paying costs not covered by those revenues.

The New York Times

Cairo is appalled, although he is paying Ruby's premiums.

The New York Times

He is paying for diesel out of his profits.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he is paying", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being paid for to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "he is paying the rent" rather than just "he is paying".

Common error

Avoid using "he is paying" when the payment is already completed. Use "he paid" to indicate a completed transaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is paying" functions as a present continuous verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress. Ludwig provides numerous examples where the phrase is used to describe someone in the act of giving money or settling a debt.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is paying" is a very common and grammatically correct construction used to describe a current action of giving money or settling a financial obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, predominantly in news and media. While its function is primarily informative, its register is neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being paid for, and be mindful of the tense – use "he paid" for completed transactions. Alternative expressions include "he is making payments" or "he is covering the expenses", offering subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he's making payments

Focuses on the act of making regular payments, implying an ongoing process.

he is disbursing funds

More formal, emphasizing the act of releasing or distributing money.

he's covering the expenses

Highlights the act of providing enough money to meet costs.

he is shouldering the cost

Implies bearing the burden of a financial responsibility.

he's footing the bill

An informal way to say he is paying the total amount due.

he is rendering payment

A more formal and somewhat archaic way of saying he is paying.

he's providing remuneration

Very formal, suggesting payment for services rendered.

he is incurring costs

Focuses on the action of accumulating expenses.

he is settling accounts

Implies finalizing payments and resolving financial obligations.

he is fulfilling obligations

Highlights the act of satisfying a financial commitment.

FAQs

How to use "he is paying" in a sentence?

Use "he is paying" to describe an action where someone is currently giving money in exchange for goods, services or to fulfill an obligation. For example, "He is paying for the groceries at the checkout".

What can I say instead of "he is paying"?

You can use alternatives like "he is making payments", "he is covering the expenses", or "he is footing the bill" depending on the context.

When should I use "he is paying" versus "he paid"?

"He is paying" describes an ongoing action in the present, while "he paid" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "He is paying the waiter now" versus "He paid the bill yesterday".

Is "he is paying for" the same as "he is paying"?

While similar, "he is paying for" typically specifies what is being paid for, providing more clarity. "He is paying" can sometimes imply the object of payment is understood from the context. For example, "He is paying for the car" vs. "He is paying now".