it may pay to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it may pay to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that taking a certain action might be beneficial or rewarding in some way. Example: "It may pay to invest in renewable energy sources for long-term savings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

It may pay to procrastinate.

The New York Times - Travel

It may pay to do both.

The New York Times

Then it may pay to do your laundry at night.

University of California, Berkeley

When few flourishes survive, it may pay to add some.

The New York Times

It may pay to wait, because survivor benefits are affected.

The New York Times

So, it may pay to stock up on shelled pecans.

The New York Times - Food

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

People are realizing it just may pay to value the lower profile professions in which making the customer feel good is a worthwhile endeavor.

Huffington Post

It may pay bystanders to offer affiliation to the enemy of their friend in order to keep the friend who is a cooperation and grooming partner available within the party.

Plosone

It may pay off to pay some attention to terminology, rather than to lump all vascular dementias into the category of VCI.

Alzheimer's Research and Therapy

The bank pointed to increased broadband competition and growing pension liabilities, and suggested it may pay up to £1bn a year for future Premier League rights for its sports channel, compared to around £246m now.

The Guardian - Business

Taking into consideration the still increasing prevalence of TB/HIV co-infection, it may pay off to screen for TB regardless of cough duration, if we really intend to eradicate TB by year 2050 [ 2].

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it may pay to", clearly state the potential benefit or reward that could result from the action. This helps the reader understand the motivation behind the suggestion.

Common error

Avoid presenting the potential benefit as a guaranteed outcome. Using "it may pay to" implies a possibility, not a certainty. Be mindful of the language you use to describe the potential reward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it may pay to" functions as a modal expression introducing a suggestion or recommendation. It indicates that a particular action might be beneficial or advantageous. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

14%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it may pay to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to suggest a potentially beneficial action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, with examples spanning News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. When using "it may pay to", be sure to highlight the potential reward or advantage, while avoiding any overstatement of certainty. Alternative phrases include "it might be beneficial to" or "it could be advantageous to". This phrase strikes a neutral tone, appropriate for various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might be beneficial to

Replaces "may" with "might" and uses "beneficial" instead of "pay", focusing on the advantage.

it could be advantageous to

Similar to the original, but uses "advantageous" to emphasize the potential benefit.

it would be wise to

Focuses on the wisdom or prudence of taking the action.

it's worth considering

Suggests that the action is worth thinking about, implying potential benefits.

it's advisable to

Recommends the action, suggesting it's a good idea.

you might find it useful to

Focuses on the usefulness of the action to the person.

there's a potential benefit in

Highlights the potential benefit without directly suggesting an action.

it may be in your interest to

Emphasizes that the action could serve the person's interests.

consider the possibility of

Suggests thinking about the possibility of a beneficial outcome.

exploring this option could be rewarding

Highlights the exploration of the option and frames it in terms of reward.

FAQs

How can I use "it may pay to" in a sentence?

Use "it may pay to" to suggest that a particular action could be beneficial or advantageous. For example, "It may pay to invest in renewable energy sources for long-term savings."

What can I say instead of "it may pay to"?

You can use alternatives like "it might be beneficial to", "it could be advantageous to", or "it would be wise to" depending on the context.

Is "it may pay to" formal or informal?

"It may pay to" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, consider the specific context and audience when choosing your wording.

What's the difference between "it may pay to" and "it will pay to"?

"It may pay to" indicates a possibility or suggestion, while "it will pay to" implies a higher degree of certainty about the positive outcome. Use "it may pay to" when you want to suggest a potential benefit without guaranteeing it.