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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
paid with
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
"paid with" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used when referring to a medium of payment; for example, the sentence "The bill was paid with cash" is correct.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
59 human-written examples
(He was paid with books).
News & Media
They are being paid with taxpayer money.
News & Media
The dancers get paid with social status.
News & Media
Unless we paid with our credit cards?
News & Media
Thousands paid with their lives.
News & Media
Politicians paid with their jobs.
News & Media
He eventually paid with his life.
News & Media
He paid with a credit card.
News & Media
Total paid with other stuff about £1.3m.
News & Media
All these agitators paid with German gold anyway.
News & Media
She paid with a card, querying something on her bill.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "paid with", ensure that the payment method is clearly specified to avoid ambiguity. For instance, say "paid with a credit card" instead of just "paid with a card".
Common error
Avoid using other prepositions with "paid". It is grammatically incorrect to say "paid by" or "paid through" when you mean "paid with" a specific medium of exchange. For example, the correct phrase is "I paid with cash", not "I paid by cash".
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "paid with" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the instrument or method used to make a payment. As evidenced by Ludwig, this construction is commonly used to specify how something was paid for, whether it be with cash, credit card, or even metaphorically with one's life.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
20%
Formal & Business
15%
Less common in
Science
10%
Reference
5%
Encyclopedias
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "paid with" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that specifies the means of payment or exchange. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally used when referring to a medium of payment in a sentence. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse writing contexts. The most common mistake to avoid is using incorrect prepositions like "by" instead of "with" when indicating the payment method. Remember to clearly state the method and use the phrase to describe both monetary and metaphorical transactions. The examples available in Ludwig illustrate how extensively and appropriately "paid with" is employed across various reliable sources.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
compensated with
Emphasizes the idea of receiving payment or recompense, often for services rendered or losses incurred.
reimbursed with
Focuses on receiving repayment for expenses already incurred.
remunerated with
Highlights the formal aspect of payment for services or work.
settled with
Indicates the resolution of a debt or obligation through payment.
defrayed with
Suggests covering the cost or expense of something, often partially.
discharged with
Implies the fulfillment of an obligation through payment or other means.
rewarded with
Highlights the act of giving something in recognition of merit or service.
bought with
Focuses on the direct exchange of money for a specific item or service.
financed with
Emphasizes the provision of funds to support a particular activity or project.
funded with
Similar to financed with, but often implies a more formal or institutional source of funding.
FAQs
How do I use "paid with" in a sentence?
Use "paid with" to indicate the method or medium of payment used for a transaction. For example, "She "paid with a credit card"" or "The fine could be "paid with the funny money"".
What are some alternatives to "paid with"?
Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "compensated with", "reimbursed with", or "settled with".
Is it correct to say "paid by" instead of "paid with"?
While "paid by" is correct in some contexts (e.g., "paid by the company"), "paid with" is specifically used to indicate the instrument of payment (e.g., "paid with a check"). Using "paid by credit card" is incorrect, instead use ""paid with a credit card"".
Can "paid with" refer to non-monetary exchanges?
Yes, "paid with" can be used metaphorically to describe non-monetary exchanges, such as "He "paid with his life"" or "The dancers get "paid with social status"". However, in most cases, it refers to monetary transactions.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
85%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested