pay for him

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay for him" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would typically use it when you are referring to paying a price or fee for something on behalf of someone else; for example, "I offered to pay for him since he didn't have enough money".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

How much did they pay for him?

The Guardian - Sport

"That's why people pay for him — he's the best around".

The New York Times - Sports

If he was to go, someone will have to pay for him.

Independent

Madrid didn't want him, Liverpool didn't want him enough, and Chelsea wouldn't pay for him.

The Guardian - Sport

If someone needs surgery, I'll pay for him if he has no money.

The Guardian - Music

Ousmane told the guards that he had no family to pay for him.

The New Yorker

"Whenever we'd go out, I'd always have to pay for him," O'Hara said with a smile.

The New York Times

Will it pay for him to come home if there is, say, a tsunami?

The Guardian - Money

"I had offered to pay for him to go to college in Jordan," the uncle said.

The Guardian

"I don't know how I will be able to pay for him if he succeeds.

The Guardian

You can't expect the hospital staff to starve to death to pay for him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay for him", ensure clarity about what specific cost is being covered. For example, clarify if you mean to pay for his education, medical bills or groceries to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "pay for him" without specifying the context. Instead of saying "I will pay for him", specify what you will be paying for, such as "I will pay for his tuition" or "I will pay for his medical expenses".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay for him" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of covering the expenses or costs associated with another person. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a correct and usable phrase in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

The Guardian - Money

5%

The New Yorker - Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pay for him" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate covering the expenses or costs of another person. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression in various contexts, from formal business arrangements to informal offers of assistance. While its usage is widespread, ensuring clarity about the specific cost being covered enhances communication. Alternatives like "cover his expenses" or "sponsor him" offer nuanced ways to express financial support, while specifying the context avoids ambiguity. Top sources like The New York Times and The Guardian showcase the phrase's reliability across diverse media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover his expenses

Focuses specifically on covering expenses, rather than a general payment.

sponsor him

Implies a formal or ongoing financial support relationship.

fund his needs

Highlights the financial support for necessities or requirements.

subsidize his costs

Suggests partial financial assistance to reduce expenses.

foot the bill for him

An idiomatic expression meaning to pay the entire cost.

pick up his tab

Informal way of saying to pay for someone's expenses, often used in social contexts.

shoulder his financial burden

Emphasizes the act of taking on someone's financial responsibility.

be responsible for his financial obligations

A more formal phrasing indicating a duty to handle someone's debts or payments.

settle his accounts

Focuses on clearing or managing someone's financial debts.

finance his endeavor

Suggests providing the funds necessary to undertake a particular project or activity.

FAQs

How can I use "pay for him" in a sentence?

You can use "pay for him" when you are covering the expenses of someone. For example: "I will "pay for him" to attend the conference since his company can't afford it."

What are some alternatives to "pay for him"?

Depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "cover his expenses", "sponsor him", or "fund his needs".

Is it always clear what "pay for him" refers to?

Not always. To avoid ambiguity, it's best to specify what you're paying for, such as "pay for his education" or "pay for his medical bills".

What's the difference between "pay for him" and "compensate him"?

"Pay for him" implies covering costs or expenses on his behalf, while "compensate him" means to give him something (usually money) in return for services rendered or as reparations for a loss or injury. They aren't interchangeable.