neglect to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "neglect to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone fails to make a payment or fulfill a financial obligation. Example: "If you neglect to pay your bills on time, you may incur late fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

To disrespect a gang member, or neglect to pay rent, or pass into a rival gang's zone, is to risk death.

The Guardian

A player can, for instance, neglect to pay his income taxes and remain in the good graces of the Hall of Fame (Duke Snider, class of 1980), but neglect to run out routine ground balls and it will undoubtedly cost the player Hall of Fame votes.

The New York Times - Sports

Tenants can be late with their payments, or even neglect to pay at all, and if you're depending on the income it can be a stressful situation.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

He had neglected to pay off the debt on the house he had bought in 1639.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr Geithner neglected to pay his Social Security contribution while he was at the IMF.

The Economist

"We had renters in the house, and they neglected to pay the rent," he said.

The New York Times

The troops returned to Rio, then the capital, but the government neglected to pay them.

The Guardian - Books

During the divorce, she claimed that Guitry had neglected to pay her for her appearances.

The New York Times

One cousin neglects to pay his share of the property tax; in protest, another cousin refuses to pay.

The New York Times

The otherworldly Alcott neglected to pay her, however, so in 1837 Fuller became a schoolmistress in Providence.

The New Yorker

Last month, Ultimate Care UK Ltd ,Ipswich, was named by the government for neglecting to pay £613.79 to seven workers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "neglect to pay" when highlighting a lack of attention or responsibility, not simply an inability to pay due to financial constraints.

Common error

Avoid using "neglect to pay" when the reason for non-payment is a genuine inability to pay due to circumstances like poverty or job loss. "Neglect" implies a degree of carelessness or irresponsibility, which is inappropriate in cases of financial hardship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "neglect to pay" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to fulfill a financial obligation. It emphasizes a lack of attention or responsibility in making a payment. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "neglect to pay" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe a failure to fulfill a financial obligation due to carelessness or lack of attention. Ludwig confirms this, citing examples from news media, encyclopedias and wikis. While semantically sound, it's important to distinguish it from an inability to pay due to hardship. Alternatives include "fail to pay" and "omit payment". The phrase is of rare frequency, yet suitable for various contexts where irresponsibility in payment is highlighted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to pay

Direct synonym; replaces "neglect" with "fail", indicating a lack of payment.

omit payment

Focuses on the act of omitting or leaving out the payment.

default on payment

Implies a breach of an agreement or obligation to pay.

overlook payment

Suggests the payment was missed or forgotten.

withhold payment

Implies a deliberate decision not to pay.

miss a payment

Indicates a failure to make a payment on time.

skip payment

Informal term for missing a payment.

be remiss in paying

Highlights the negligence or carelessness in not paying.

fall behind on payments

Indicates a gradual accumulation of unpaid debts.

become delinquent on payments

Suggests payments are overdue and in violation of an agreement.

FAQs

What does "neglect to pay" mean?

The phrase "neglect to pay" means to fail to make a required payment due to carelessness, oversight, or a lack of attention to one's financial responsibilities. It implies a degree of culpability or irresponsibility.

What are some alternatives to "neglect to pay"?

You can use alternatives like "fail to pay", "omit payment", or "default on payment" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "neglect to pay"?

"Neglect to pay" is appropriate when someone has a clear obligation to pay, but fails to do so due to carelessness or a lack of diligence. It's not suitable when the reason for non-payment is an inability to pay due to financial hardship.

Is "neglect to pay" a formal or informal expression?

"Neglect to pay" is considered a neutral expression suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "fail to remit payment" may be preferable in certain professional settings.