on payroll

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on payroll" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to refer to a situation in which a person is employed and being paid regularly. For example, "We have several new employees on payroll this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wilpon said Phillips will be able to take on payroll to improve the team as the season goes on.

The New York Times - Sports

Why would anyone take on a new employee because of a one-year break on payroll taxes?

The New York Times

Employer payroll tax holiday on payroll growth.

The New York Times

I have 12 people on payroll".

The New York Times - Magazine

Robert Wood warns: don't cross the I.R.S. on payroll taxes.

The New York Times

How would raising the ceiling on payroll taxes affect benefits?

The New York Times

The G.O.P. says it's willing to work with President Obama on payroll taxes.

The New York Times

The Yankees took it personally that Radke was basing their incredible success strictly on payroll.

The New York Times - Sports

Some Democrats have argued that a holiday on payroll taxes would provide the most direct stimulus.

The New York Times

(It is actually a credit that is applied toward income taxes based on payroll taxes paid).

The New York Times - Magazine

It could declare a holiday on payroll taxes -- those deductions for Social Security and Medicare.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing company finances or staffing, use "on payroll" to clearly indicate employees who are receiving regular compensation. For example: "Our company has 50 employees on payroll".

Common error

Avoid using "on payroll" when referring to contractors or freelancers who are not directly employed by the company. Instead, use terms like "working with" or "contracted by" to accurately reflect their status.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on payroll" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of employment and compensation. As shown by Ludwig, it specifies that someone is formally employed and receives regular payments from an organization. The phrase answers the implicit question of who is being paid by an entity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

23%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on payroll" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate that someone is officially employed and receiving regular compensation from an organization. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correctness and widespread use. It's most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure you are referring to direct employees, not contractors. Alternatives include "employed by", "receiving a salary from", and "part of the workforce", but each carries nuances that may make them more or less appropriate depending on the specific context. To avoid errors make sure to properly refer to people working as contractors or freelancers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

receiving a salary from

Highlights the act of receiving payment from an employer, shifting the focus to compensation.

compensated by

Highlights the act of receiving compensation from an employer, but it might include other benefits and not only money.

employed by

Focuses on the state of being employed by a particular entity, rather than the financial aspect of being on payroll.

drawing a wage from

Similar to "receiving a salary from", but suggests hourly or weekly pay rather than a fixed annual salary.

remunerated by

A more formal synonym of "compensated by", emphasizing financial reward.

in the employ of

A more formal way of saying "employed by", emphasizing the employer-employee relationship.

listed as an employee

Emphasizes the formal listing of an individual as an employee in company records.

on the books

Implies official recognition as an employee, with records kept by the employer.

member of staff

Focuses on being part of the team, rather than the financial aspects of employment.

part of the workforce

Broadly indicates inclusion in the total number of employees, without specific reference to pay.

FAQs

How can I use "on payroll" in a sentence?

You can use "on payroll" to indicate that someone is employed and receives regular compensation from a company. For example, "The company has 200 employees "on payroll".".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "on payroll"?

Alternatives include "employed by", "receiving a salary from", or "part of the workforce", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say someone is "on the payroll" or "in the payroll"?

"On the payroll" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "In the payroll" is not standard English.

What's the difference between being "on payroll" and being a "contractor"?

Being "on payroll" means you are a direct employee of the company, receiving a regular salary and benefits. A "contractor", on the other hand, is a self-employed individual or company hired to perform specific tasks, and they are not entitled to the same benefits as employees "on payroll".