made to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "made to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is being required to compensate or face consequences for something, often in a legal or financial sense. Example: "After the investigation, the company was made to pay a hefty fine for their environmental violations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was made to pay.

The New Yorker

Can consumers be made to pay more?

The Economist

They were made to pay.

The Guardian - Sport

They must be made to pay.

The New York Times - Books

They were made to pay moments later.

The Guardian - Sport

Somebody would be made to pay, she knew.

The New Yorker

HOW much interest should a borrower be made to pay?

The Economist

Pensioners were made to pay contributions toward health-care benefits.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lawson said: "Bankers should be made to pay the fines.

Independent

Perhaps we were made to pay for the opening ceremony.

The Guardian - Sport

They should not be made to pay for it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "made to pay", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is compensating for or facing consequences for. For example, "The company was made to pay for the environmental damage it caused."

Common error

Avoid using "made to pay" without specifying what the payment or consequence is for. Saying "They were made to pay" lacks clarity. Instead, specify, "They were made to pay a fine for violating the regulations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "made to pay" functions as a passive construction indicating that someone or something is being compelled to provide compensation or face consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It is commonly used to describe situations where accountability is enforced.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "made to pay" is a versatile and common expression used to convey that someone or something is being held accountable, usually through compensation or facing negative consequences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for a wide range of contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like ""held accountable"" or ""forced to compensate"" exist, "made to pay" effectively communicates the idea of enforced accountability. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to specify what the payment or consequence pertains to, avoiding vague references.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held accountable

Focuses on responsibility and being answerable for one's actions.

held responsible

Emphasizes the obligation to bear the consequences.

forced to compensate

Highlights the act of providing restitution.

required to reimburse

Specifies the act of paying back or refunding.

subjected to penalties

Focuses on the imposition of punishments or fines.

liable for damages

Indicates legal responsibility for causing harm.

brought to justice

Emphasizes the legal process and accountability.

answerable for actions

Highlights the obligation to explain and justify one's behavior.

face the music

An idiom suggesting facing the unpleasant consequences.

pay the price

Similar to "face the music", implying suffering the consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "made to pay" in a sentence?

You can use "made to pay" to indicate that someone or something is being forced to compensate for a wrongdoing or face consequences. For example, "The corporation was "made to pay" a hefty fine after the investigation revealed fraudulent activities."

What are some alternatives to "made to pay"?

Alternatives to "made to pay" include "held accountable", "forced to compensate", or "required to reimburse" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "was made pay" instead of "made to pay"?

No, the correct phrase is "made to pay". The inclusion of "to" is grammatically necessary. "Was made pay" is incorrect and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "made to pay" and "pay the price"?

"Made to pay" implies a direct action forcing someone to compensate or face consequences, often financially or legally. "Pay the price" is a more general idiom that refers to suffering any kind of negative consequence, not necessarily involving direct compensation.