pay a charge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pay a charge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you're referring to an amount of money paid for a particular service. For example, "You will have to pay a charge of $50 for the delivery fee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Even when the gas isn't being used, Emma has to pay a charge.

The Guardian

So if defendants plead guilty to a mid-range offence in the magistrates court they pay a charge of £180.

Independent

Nest has an annual management charge of just 0.3%, but investors must pay a charge of 1.8% on every contribution.

The Guardian - Money

YouTube, owned by Google, for example, would pay a charge to an internet service provider (ISP) in return for its content being fast-tracked to consumers.

The Guardian - Tech

Drivers of polluting cars should also have to pay a charge to enter cities, where air pollution is worst, the researchers from University College London (UCL) said.

The Guardian

But it now looks as if existing trusts will have to pay a charge equal to 6percentnt of the assets every 10 years.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

Michael Schwartz, 63, a retiree in Little Silver, N.J., canceled his Experian subscription after he realized he was paying a charge for a tool he didn't need.

The New York Times

However, privately-owned passenger cars, which make up 88% of the UK's motor fleet, will also be exempt from paying a charge.

The Guardian

Yet on both trips, I saw that a few aisle seats in the back of the plane (which I would have opted for without paying a charge) were actually unoccupied.

The New York Times

Income above £50,000 means paying a charge of 1% of the CB for every £100 of income above that £50,000 base level.

BBC

Owners of cars that fail to meet the standards will pay a £12.50 charge, separate to the congestion charge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "pay a charge", specify the exact amount or the basis for the charge to avoid ambiguity. For example, "You will pay a charge of $25 for late payment".

Common error

Avoid using "charge" when "surcharge" is more appropriate. "Surcharge" refers to an extra fee added to an existing price, while "charge" is a general term for a fee or cost.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay a charge" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "pay" is the verb and "a charge" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. This indicates the action of settling a monetary obligation. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts to denote payment for services, penalties, or access.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay a charge" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of settling a monetary obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business settings. While often interchangeable with "pay a fee", "charge" can sometimes imply a more mandatory payment. When using this phrase, be sure to specify the amount or basis for the charge. While the phrase is generally neutral, consider the specific context to determine if a more formal alternative like "remit a payment" is more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incur a fee

Focuses on the act of becoming subject to a fee rather than the act of paying.

settle an expense

Emphasizes the resolution of an expense, suggesting a more formal settlement.

bear a cost

Highlights the responsibility of carrying a cost, indicating a burden.

discharge a debt

Implies the complete fulfillment of a financial obligation, going beyond just paying a fee.

cover an expense

Focuses on providing funds to meet an expense, rather than the act of paying itself.

remit a payment

Suggests a formal transmission of payment, often to an organization.

liquidate a liability

Implies converting assets into cash to eliminate a liability.

make a contribution

Conveys a sense of giving or donating, differing from a mandatory charge.

donate funds

Implies a voluntary act of giving money for a specific cause.

allocate resources

Suggests a strategic distribution of resources, not necessarily monetary.

FAQs

What's the difference between "pay a charge" and "pay a fee"?

The terms "pay a charge" and "pay a fee" are often interchangeable. "Charge" can sometimes imply a mandatory payment, while "fee" is generally a payment for a service. You can use alternatives like "incur a fee" or "settle an expense" depending on the context.

How do I use "pay a charge" in a sentence?

You can use "pay a charge" to describe the action of paying an amount of money for a specific service, penalty, or requirement. For example: "Drivers of polluting cars should also have to "pay a charge" to enter cities."

What are some common situations where someone might "pay a charge"?

Common situations include paying a service charge, a late fee, a congestion charge, or a prescription charge. The specific type of charge depends on the context.

Is it correct to say "pay a charge" or should I use another phrase?

The phrase "pay a charge" is grammatically correct and commonly used, as confirmed by Ludwig. However, depending on the context, you might also consider alternatives such as "incur a fee" or "bear a cost".