paid dividends

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "paid dividends" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe a situation where an action or decision has resulted in a positive outcome - often one that had been hoped for but not necessarily expected. For example, "Investing in our staff training program has paid dividends as our employees are now more productive than ever."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That initially paid dividends.

The Economist

The strategy paid dividends early.

The New York Times - Sports

The realignment has paid dividends.

The New York Times - Sports

It has already paid dividends.

Independent

This strategy has paid dividends.

The Economist

The changes paid dividends.

The Guardian - Sport

It's paid dividends".

The Guardian

The appointment paid dividends.

The Guardian

The tactic paid dividends.

The New York Times

His gamble paid dividends.

The Guardian

Their hard work paid dividends.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "paid dividends" to illustrate how a specific strategy, decision, or effort has led to a tangible and positive outcome. Be sure to specify what action "paid dividends" and what the resulting benefits were.

Common error

Avoid using "paid dividends" to describe situations with immediate, obvious results. The phrase often implies a longer-term investment or effort that eventually led to a positive return. For example, saying "The quick response paid dividends" might be less appropriate than "The quick response was immediately effective."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "paid dividends" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a specific action, strategy, or investment has resulted in a beneficial outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing its prevalent use in describing positive results stemming from prior efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "paid dividends" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that signifies a past action or investment has yielded positive results. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral to professional in tone, it is best employed when describing tangible returns or benefits resulting from a considered, longer-term effort. Remember to avoid using it for immediate, obvious results, and ensure you clearly specify both the action and its beneficial outcome. Alternatives like "yielded benefits" or "produced results" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yielded benefits

Focuses on the production of benefits as a result of something.

proved fruitful

Highlights the successful and productive nature of an endeavor.

produced results

Emphasizes the achievement of specific outcomes.

bore fruit

A more metaphorical way of saying that efforts have resulted in success.

delivered success

Emphasizes the achievement of a successful outcome.

gave a return

Focuses on the financial or quantitative return on an investment or effort.

brought advantages

Focuses on the benefits that have materialized from something.

created advantages

Highlights the creation of beneficial conditions or positions.

generated profits

Specifically refers to the creation of financial gains.

offered rewards

Highlights the positive returns or incentives received.

FAQs

How can I use "paid dividends" in a sentence?

Use "paid dividends" to indicate that a previous action or investment has yielded positive results. For example, "Her dedication to studying /s/paid+dividends and she aced the exam".

What can I say instead of "paid dividends"?

Alternatives include "yielded benefits", "produced results", or "proved fruitful", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "will pay dividends"?

Yes, it is correct. Saying "will pay dividends" indicates that you expect future positive outcomes from a current action or investment.

What's the difference between "paid dividends" and "bore fruit"?

"Paid dividends" often refers to tangible returns or benefits, while "bore fruit" is more metaphorical, suggesting that efforts have led to a successful result or outcome.