pay the difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"pay the difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the amount of money that must be paid to cover the gap between two amounts. For example, "I will pay the difference between the listed price and the sale price for the dress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

You should just pay the difference.

The New York Times - Magazine

Until then, G.M. will pay the difference.

The New York Times

Blackstone was unwilling to pay the difference itself.

The New York Times

MoveOn has since agreed to pay the difference.

The New York Times

Above that price, employees would have to pay the difference.

The New York Times - Health

But if you do, Usell will pay the difference.

The New York Times

"If the patient wants it enough, they can pay the difference".

The New York Times

If you want more than the free allocation you have to pay the difference.

The Guardian - Money

The state would pay the difference between that and the actual cost.

The New York Times

County officials plan to ask the state to pay the difference.

The New York Times

They could go anywhere — but they'd have to pay the difference out of pocket.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay the difference", clearly state what the difference is between to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Pay the difference between the original price and the discounted price."

Common error

Avoid using "pay the difference" without specifying what two amounts are being compared. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay the difference" functions as a verb phrase where "pay" is the verb and "the difference" is the noun phrase acting as the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

23%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pay the difference" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of covering the outstanding amount between two values. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a reliable expression applicable in various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and formal business settings. To ensure clarity, always specify what the difference refers to. When using the phrase, consider alternatives like "cover the remaining cost" or "settle the balance" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cover the remaining cost

Focuses on the action of covering the cost, emphasizing the act of payment.

add the extra amount

Simple and direct, focusing on the addition of funds.

settle the balance

Implies finalizing a payment by addressing the outstanding amount.

make up the shortfall

Highlights the insufficiency and the need to compensate for it.

complete the payment

Highlights the completion of the full payment by adding what is missing.

bear the additional expense

Focuses on who is responsible for the extra cost.

offset the variance

Emphasizes the difference and the action to balance it.

reimburse the deficit

Suggests a formal repayment of the lacking amount.

square the account

Implies ensuring the account is balanced and no debt remains.

handle the surcharge

Focuses specifically on covering an additional charge or fee.

FAQs

How do I use "pay the difference" in a sentence?

Use "pay the difference" to describe covering the outstanding amount between two values. For instance, "If you upgrade your ticket, you'll need to "pay the difference"."

What's a simple way to rephrase "pay the difference"?

You could use phrases like "cover the remaining cost" or "settle the balance" instead of "pay the difference", depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "pay the difference" and "reimburse the difference"?

"Pay the difference" implies covering an immediate outstanding amount, while "reimburse the difference" suggests repaying an amount already paid.

Instead of "pay the difference", how can I express the concept of covering the extra cost?

Alternatives include "make up the shortfall" or "bear the additional expense", which emphasize addressing the insufficiency or taking responsibility for the extra cost.