not paid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not paid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a payment has not been made or received. Example: "The invoice remains outstanding because the amount has not been paid."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I was not paid.

The New York Times

They are not paid.

The New York Times

'Not paid'?

The Guardian - Opinion

Baseball chaplains are not paid.

The New York Times - Sports

(The interviewees were not paid).

The New Yorker

Board members are not paid.

The New York Times

She was not paid.

The Guardian

"They're not paid overtime.

The New York Times

We're not paid.

The Washington Post

Jurors were not paid.

The New York Times

He was not paid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing volunteer work or charitable contributions, use "not paid" to clearly indicate the absence of financial compensation. For example, "The volunteers were "not paid" for their time or effort."

Common error

Avoid assuming that "not paid" solely refers to monetary compensation. Consider that individuals may receive other forms of value, such as experience or recognition. Be specific about what kind of payment is lacking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not paid" functions primarily as a descriptive phrase, indicating the absence of monetary compensation for services rendered, debts settled, or work completed. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying nouns or clauses, emphasizing a lack of payment, as supported by the Ludwig AI response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not paid" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the absence of financial compensation. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. The phrase functions descriptively, conveying a lack of payment for services, goods, or debts. While it maintains a neutral register, its specific meaning and intent can vary depending on the context. Alternatives like "uncompensated" or "unremunerated" offer more formal substitutes, while understanding common errors, such as the scope of compensation, helps ensure clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncompensated

Implies that someone did not receive compensation for their work or services.

unremunerated

A more formal term for not being paid, often used in professional contexts.

without payment

Emphasizes the absence of any form of monetary exchange.

free of charge

Indicates that something is provided at no cost.

pro bono

Specifically refers to services offered for free, often in legal or professional fields.

unsettled

Refers to an outstanding payment or debt that has not been resolved.

outstanding

Similar to 'unsettled', highlighting that a payment is still due.

in arrears

Indicates that payments are overdue.

delinquent

Suggests a failure to pay on time, often with negative consequences.

in default

A legal term indicating a failure to meet financial obligations.

FAQs

What does "not paid" mean?

The phrase "not paid" means that no monetary compensation or remuneration was provided for services rendered, goods delivered, or debts owed.

What is a more formal way to say "not paid"?

A more formal alternative to "not paid" is "unremunerated", particularly in professional or academic contexts.

How can I use "not paid" in a sentence?

You can use "not paid" in a sentence like: "Although she volunteered many hours, she was "not paid" for her work."

What's the difference between "not paid" and "unpaid"?

While similar, "not paid" emphasizes the lack of payment in a specific instance, whereas "unpaid" often describes a general state of lacking payment or being due for payment. For instance, "The invoice is "unpaid"" versus "He was "not paid" for that particular job."