pay around

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay around" is a correct and usable phrase in written English, and can be used to indicate that a certain payment is roughly in a certain range, or should be somewhere in that range.
For example, "I expect to pay around $500 for the flight, but the exact fare will vary depending on the date I travel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will pay Around £40m a year.

The Guardian

Expect to pay around $46 a person with wine.

The New York Times - Travel

The one-year version will pay around 2.8% interest.

The Guardian - Money

Some complied, others didn't - they expect you to pay (around 20) to have the information hidden.

The Guardian - Tech

In the high season, expect to pay around $225 a night.

The New York Times - Travel

Expect to pay around $2000.

TechCrunch

There will be a one-year bond, which is expected to pay around 2.8% in interest, and a three-year bond, which is expected to pay around 4%.

BBC

Expect to pay around $40 for an individual degu.

WikiHow

Expect to pay around £150.

The Guardian - Tech

Expect to pay around £100 a week.

The Guardian

They actually pay around £12 a month.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pay around" when you want to give an estimate rather than a precise figure. It's suitable for situations where the exact cost may vary.

Common error

Avoid using "pay around" when precision is required. For example, in a legal contract, specify the exact amount instead of an approximation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay around" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an estimated cost or expenditure. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to express an approximate amount, suggesting the actual cost might vary slightly. The examples show a tendency to suggest a monetary transfer is likely to occur.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay around" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate an approximate cost. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, primarily news and media. While it functions as a verb phrase to estimate expenditure, it's crucial to avoid it in contexts requiring precise figures. Related alternatives include "expect to spend approximately" and "cost in the vicinity of". Remember to use "pay around" when you need to convey an estimate, acknowledging that the exact amount may vary. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to informal register. Ludwig's data underscores the phrase's utility in everyday communication where exact amounts are not critical.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

expect to spend approximately

Focuses on the expectation of spending a certain amount, highlighting the estimated nature of the cost.

anticipate paying roughly

Similar to "expect to spend approximately", but emphasizes the anticipation of making a payment.

cost in the vicinity of

Indicates a cost that falls within a certain range, using more formal language.

be priced at approximately

Focuses on the price of something, suggesting an estimated value.

shell out in the neighborhood of

Informal way to describe payment, emphasizes the act of spending money.

figure on disbursing about

Suggests a planned disbursement of funds, highlighting the intention to pay.

budget in the realm of

Implies an estimation when setting a budget.

it'll set you back almost

Informal, focuses on cost from the perspective of the person paying.

count on expending nearly

Implies a reliance on expending a certain quantity of money.

plan on allocating near to

Conveys financial resources put aside for spending.

FAQs

How to use "pay around" in a sentence?

You can use "pay around" to indicate an approximate cost. For example, "I expect to pay around $500 for the flight, but the exact fare will vary depending on the date I travel."

What can I say instead of "pay around"?

You can use alternatives like "expect to spend approximately", "anticipate paying roughly", or "cost in the vicinity of depending" on the context.

Which is correct, "pay around" or "pay exactly"?

"Pay around" indicates an approximation, while "pay exactly" indicates a precise amount. Use the phrase that best reflects the accuracy of the figure you're conveying.

What's the difference between "pay around" and "spend around"?

"Pay around" specifically refers to the act of giving money in exchange for something. "Spend around" is a broader term that can refer to allocating resources, including money, time, or effort.