it started to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it started to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a situation where something begins to yield benefits or returns, often in a financial or metaphorical context. Example: "After months of hard work, it started to pay when we finally secured a major client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

It soon it started to pay dividends.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2005, it started to pay off.

The Guardian - Sport

But after acquiring BuyYourFriendADrink.com, a marketing service for the alcoholic beverage industry in 2009, it started to pay more attention to local e-commerce.

The New York Times

CNOOC said net profit fell to 4.62 billion yuan ($558 million) from 4.82 billion yuan, in line with analysts' forecasts, as it started to pay a tax of 30percentt on profit.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And it's about time I started to pay a bit back to Leeds for showing faith in me.

The Guardian - Sport

The good part is it starts to pay off".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's a big relief for everyone when you work so hard and it starts to pay off," Lundqvist said.

The New York Times - Sports

There are choices in when it starts to pay out, how long it lasts for, what constitutes an inability to work, how much cover to buy and whether to link that to rising prices.

The Guardian - Money

Only now is it starting to pay off Ormat's revenue has grown 25% a year since 2003.

Forbes

For violent secret societies this transition means that the network might be initially hard to defeat, but there is a point after which efforts against it start to pay off.

Plosone

And I'm so glad that it has started to pay off.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it started to pay" when you want to emphasize the initial stages of a process or activity yielding positive results or benefits.

Common error

Avoid using "it started to pay" exclusively in financial contexts; it can also apply to non-monetary benefits like improved health, better relationships, or increased skills.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it started to pay" functions as a declarative statement describing the commencement of beneficial outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable. It typically follows a period of effort or investment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

20%

Business

20%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it started to pay" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the commencement of beneficial outcomes after a period of effort or investment. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and usability. While applicable across various contexts, it commonly appears in News & Media, Sports, and Business sources. Alternative phrases, such as ""it began to yield results"" or ""it began to be profitable"", can provide nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis. A key writing tip is to recognize its applicability beyond purely financial scenarios, encompassing gains in health, relationships, and skills.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it began to be profitable

Replaces "pay" with "profitable", emphasizing financial gain.

it began to yield results

Shifts focus from monetary reward to general positive outcomes.

it commenced to be beneficial

Replaces "started" with "commenced" and "pay" with "beneficial" for a more formal tone.

it began to bear fruit

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate the start of positive consequences.

it started to generate returns

Highlights the generation of profits or other benefits.

it began to show promise

Indicates the emergence of potential for future success.

it began to pay dividends

Uses the term "dividends" to suggest tangible returns on investment or effort.

it started to become worthwhile

Focuses on the increasing value and reward associated with something.

it commenced to demonstrate value

Similar to the query but emphasizing the exhibition of inherent worth.

benefits started to accrue

Shifts subject to the benefits themselves accruing instead of an action that starts paying.

FAQs

What does "it started to pay" mean?

The phrase "it started to pay" means that something has begun to yield positive results, benefits, or returns after an initial period of effort or investment. This can apply to financial gains, improvements in health, or any other desirable outcome.

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

You can use alternatives like "it began to yield results", "it began to be profitable", or "it began to bear fruit" depending on the context.

Is "it started to pay off" the same as "it started to pay"?

While similar, "it started to pay off" emphasizes the realization of a final benefit or goal, whereas "it started to pay" simply indicates the beginning of positive returns. The former suggests a more complete cycle of effort and reward.

How to use "it started to pay" in a sentence?

Here's an example: "After months of diligent studying, "it started to pay" when she aced her exams." You can also use it in business contexts: "The new marketing strategy was risky, but "it started to pay" when sales increased significantly."