pay into

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pay into" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of contributing money to a fund, account, or investment. Example: "Every month, I pay into my retirement account to ensure a secure future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Instead, they pay into public pension systems.

The New York Times

Many pay into a fluke tournament.

The New York Times - Food

So do firms that pay into the PPF.

The Economist

Distributors pay into a central pot to fund marketing.

The Economist

Nor do they help pay into their pensions.

The Guardian

Both the worker and their employer pay into the scheme.

The Guardian - Money

"Nobody wants anyone to pay into a broken system".

The New York Times

If they want to pay into our general campaigning political fund, they can tick a box and pay into that.

The Guardian

One option is for the taxpayer to pay into a funded pension for them.

The Economist

That would bring their pay into line with that of other civil servants.

The New York Times

No, not another cash Isa that you pay into in the same tax year.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay into", clearly specify the destination or recipient of the payment to avoid ambiguity. For example, "pay into a pension fund" is more precise than simply "pay into".

Common error

Avoid using "pay into" interchangeably with verbs like "invest" or "donate" when the context requires a specific type of payment. "Pay into" generally refers to contributions to a system or fund, not necessarily a voluntary or investment-driven action.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "pay into" functions primarily as a verb of contribution, denoting the act of transferring money to a specific fund, account, or system. Ludwig indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "pay into" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that denotes the act of contributing funds to a specific system, fund, or account. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and financial discussions. While "contribute to" can be a broader alternative, "pay into" is more precise when referring to financial contributions to structured systems. When using the expression is relevant to specify what one is paying into. Ludwig's examples and the distribution across authoritative sources show its relevance in describing financial obligations and investments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put money into

A more informal way of saying "pay into", emphasizing the financial aspect.

contribute to

Focuses on the act of giving or donating, often implying a voluntary contribution.

make contributions to

Emphasizes the repeated act of giving or donating.

invest in

Suggests a contribution with the expectation of future returns or benefits.

donate to

Implies a charitable contribution.

subscribe to

Implies a regular payment for a service or membership.

feed funds into

Suggests a continuous or ongoing supply of money to a particular area.

allocate funds to

Focuses on the formal distribution of money for a specific purpose.

remit payment to

Highlights the act of sending money as a form of payment.

transfer funds to

Highlights the movement of money from one account or entity to another.

FAQs

How to use "pay into" in a sentence?

The phrase "pay into" is used to describe contributing money to a fund, account, or system. For example, "Employees pay into a pension scheme" or "Businesses pay into the PPF".

What's the difference between "contribute to" and "pay into"?

"Contribute to" is more general and can refer to any kind of contribution, while "pay into" specifically means to give money to a fund or system.

What can I say instead of "pay into"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "contribute to", "invest in", or "subscribe to".

Is it correct to say "pay in" instead of "pay into"?

While "pay in" can sometimes be used in similar contexts, "pay into" is more specific when referring to contributions made to a fund, system, or account. "Pay in" is generally used when referring to the act of depositing money to a general ledger account.