it was paying

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was paying" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation where something was providing a financial return or benefit in the past. Example: "Last year, the investment was paying off significantly, leading to a substantial profit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It had high profit margins and real pricing power, even as it was paying its workers union wages.

The Economist

Others said Germany was chiefly concerned that the new bonds would raise the interest rate it was paying on its debt, the lowest in Europe.

The New York Times

G.M. said it was paying about $423 million for its 7 percent stake in Peugeot.

The New York Times

"If Coldwell Banker announced it was paying 1percentt commission to its agents, there would be a mass exodus".

The New York Times

ITT also announced last week that it was paying a $515,000 bonus to its CEO, Kevin Modany.

Huffington Post

Now it was paying $975.

The New York Times

It was paying people bonuses for hard work".

The New York Times

It was paying food trucks to give out free food.

The New York Times

It was paying $400 million in interest payments each year.

The New York Times

It was paying him to do a specific thing.

The Guardian - Opinion

At the time it was paying a highly attractive 3.26%.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it was paying", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context specifies what was being paid (e.g., a salary, interest, dividends) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was paying" without clearly establishing what "it" refers to. Unclear pronoun reference can confuse readers. Always ensure the pronoun's antecedent is unambiguous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was paying" typically functions as a verb phrase within a clause, describing a past action where something was providing financial compensation, covering costs, or yielding returns. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Examples show a variety of subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was paying" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that describes a past action of providing financial compensation or covering costs. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and applicable across a range of contexts. It finds its primary use in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Academic settings. When using "it was paying", ensure the subject is clearly defined and the context clarifies the purpose of payment to maintain clarity and precision. While alternatives like "it provided payment" or "it made payments" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The widespread use of "it was paying" in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and versatility in describing past financial activities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it provided payment

Focuses on the act of providing payment, emphasizing the transaction itself.

it made payments

Highlights the action of making multiple payments over a period.

it covered the costs

Emphasizes the act of offsetting expenses or financial obligations.

it disbursed funds

Focuses on the act of distributing money or resources.

it rendered remuneration

Uses more formal language to describe the act of providing compensation.

it offered compensation

Highlights the act of providing compensation, often in exchange for something.

it yielded returns

Focuses on the financial returns or profits generated by an investment or activity.

it was remitting

Emphasizes the sending of money, often to another location.

it was settling

Highlights the action of resolving a debt or financial obligation.

it honored its obligations

Focuses on fulfilling a contractual or financial commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "it was paying" in a sentence?

You can use "it was paying" to describe a past action where something provided compensation, returns, or benefits, such as "The company announced that "it was paying" higher dividends this quarter."

What are some alternatives to "it was paying"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it provided payment", "it made payments", or "it yielded returns", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "it was paying" or should I use another tense?

The phrase "it was paying" is grammatically correct when describing an action that was ongoing or habitual in the past. The choice of tense depends on the specific context and the timing of the action.

What's the difference between "it was paying" and "it paid"?

"It was paying" describes an action that was in progress or happening repeatedly over a period of time in the past. "It paid" describes a completed action in the past. For example, "It was paying interest every month" versus "it paid the debt in full last year."