must pay

USAGE SUMMARY

"must pay" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to express an obligation that something must be done, typically involving a monetary payment. For example: "The renter must pay the entirety of the security deposit before moving in."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They must pay interest.

The New York Times

He must pay, too.

The New Yorker

They must pay".

The New York Times

People must pay taxes.

The New Yorker

The industry must pay".

The Economist

Etc but all must pay.

The New York Times

Who must pay for repairs?

The New York Times

But you must pay attention.

The New Yorker

Now you must pay us".

The New Yorker

Everyone must pay tax".

The Guardian

We too must pay.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "must pay", ensure the context clearly defines who is obligated to make the payment and what the payment is for. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the amount, currency, and any relevant deadlines or conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "must pay" without specifying the recipient or the exact purpose of the payment. This can lead to confusion and legal disputes. Always clarify who benefits from the payment and under what conditions it is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "must pay" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating an obligation or necessity to provide payment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It expresses a requirement that something, typically a monetary amount, be transferred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "must pay" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed construction used to express the necessity or obligation of providing payment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. As shown in the example from Ludwig, the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, and it maintains a generally neutral tone, though formality can shift based on context. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly specify who is obligated to pay and the purpose of the payment to prevent ambiguity. Alternatives like "is required to pay" or "has to pay" can be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is required to pay

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a requirement or legal obligation.

is obligated to pay

This alternative highlights a formal or legal obligation to make a payment.

has to pay

This alternative is more informal but conveys a similar sense of necessity.

needs to pay

This alternative softens the obligation slightly, suggesting a need rather than a strict requirement.

is due to pay

This alternative emphasizes that a payment is expected at a specific time.

shall pay

This alternative is very formal and often used in legal contexts.

is liable to pay

This alternative highlights a legal responsibility to make a payment, often due to a debt or damages.

is responsible for paying

This alternative shifts the focus to the responsibility for ensuring a payment is made.

is bound to pay

This alternative indicates a contractual or moral obligation to make a payment.

is compelled to pay

This alternative emphasizes that external factors or a higher authority force the payment.

FAQs

How can I use "must pay" in a sentence?

Use "must pay" to indicate an obligation to provide something, usually money, in exchange for goods, services, or to fulfill a legal requirement. For example: "The company "must pay" its employees on time."

What are some alternatives to "must pay"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "is required to pay", "is obligated to pay", or "has to pay".

Is it more formal to say "must pay" or "is required to pay"?

"Is required to pay" is generally more formal and suitable for legal or official documents, while "must pay" is acceptable in most contexts but slightly less formal.

What's the difference between "must pay" and "should pay"?

"Must pay" indicates a firm obligation or requirement, whereas "should pay" suggests a recommendation or moral imperative, implying less compulsion.