pay raise

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay raise" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about an increase in someone's salary. For example, "My boss gave me a pay raise for my hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Federal pay raise.

The Washington Post

His demand was for a pay raise.

The New York Times

Dude, where's my pay raise?

The Washington Post

"We won a hefty pay raise.

The New York Times

Last Sunday, the city agreed to a substantial pay raise.

The New York Times

Whoever drew the Accord Coupe deserves a pay raise.

The New York Times

I'm not seeking credit -- or even a retroactive pay raise.

The New York Times

"We do want to give them a pay raise.

The New York Times

That local businesses could afford the pay raise.

The New York Times

That vote effectively halted efforts to defeat the pay raise.

The New York Times

In exchange, principals got a 33percentt pay raise.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing employment contracts or negotiations, use "pay raise" to clearly communicate the idea of increased compensation. For example, "The union negotiated a significant "pay raise" for its members".

Common error

Avoid using "pay raise" when you mean a "promotion". A "pay raise" is simply an increase in salary, while a "promotion" involves new responsibilities and a higher position within the company.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay raise" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes an increase in an employee's compensation. As Ludwig highlights, it's a standard term for describing salary adjustments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pay raise" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase that refers to an increase in salary or wages. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a straightforward term used across various contexts, with high frequency in news and media. While alternatives like "salary increase" and "wage hike" exist, "pay raise" remains a universally understood term. It's important to distinguish a "pay raise" from a "promotion" or a "bonus", as they represent different aspects of compensation and career advancement. Use "pay raise" when specifically referring to a permanent increase in base salary. The high expert rating of 4.6 reflects its accuracy, authority, and consistent usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

increase in pay

Reorders the words slightly while retaining the core meaning.

rise in wages

Swaps "raise" with "rise", focusing on the action of wages going up.

salary increase

Replaces "pay" with "salary", emphasizing the fixed compensation aspect.

wage hike

Uses "hike" to suggest a significant or sudden increase in wages.

salary increment

A more formal term, often used in official documents or business settings.

enhanced compensation

A broader term encompassing all forms of increased payment or benefits.

uplift in earnings

Highlights the positive change in overall earnings.

increased remuneration

A formal and somewhat archaic way to describe an increase in payment.

bonus

This term refers to a one-time additional compensation, rather than a permanent increase to base pay.

cost of living adjustment

An increase in wages to keep up with the cost of inflation.

FAQs

How to use "pay raise" in a sentence?

You can use "pay raise" to describe an increase in salary. For example, "She received a "pay raise" after exceeding her sales targets".

What's the difference between "pay raise" and "bonus"?

A "pay raise" is a permanent increase to your base salary, while a "bonus" is a one-time payment, often tied to performance or company profits.

What are some alternatives to "pay raise"?

Alternatives include "salary increase", "wage hike", or "increase in pay", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to discuss my "pay raise" with coworkers?

Discussing your "pay raise" with coworkers can be a sensitive topic. Company policies often discourage such conversations, and it could lead to resentment or conflict.