payable by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "payable by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in financial contexts to indicate who is responsible for making a payment. Example: "The invoice is due on the 15th and is payable by the client."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

That amount is payable by the end of Wednesday.

The New York Times

Those in formal employment pay a premium equivalent to 5% of their salary, with 4% payable by employers and 1% payable by employees.

The Guardian

It did, however, increase the compensation payable by the mainland firm to more than $300 million.

The New York Times

Taxes are still payable by the investors in their home countries.

The Economist

They charged $250 to $350 per hour, payable by cash, credit card and PayPal.

The New York Times

The price, $125 a person, is payable by check to the fire companies.

The New York Times - Food

Tickets are $175 each, payable by credit card or check to New Orleans Tourism Rebirth Fund.

The New York Times

The Howard Beach and Jamaica trips will cost $5 each way, payable by MetroCard.

The New York Times

A new formula for child support often increased the amount of maintenance payable by the absent father.

The Economist

One, for instance, halves the profits tax payable by any company with over half its workforce registered as disabled.

The Economist

He said he earned $150 a day, payable by check, and worked about five shifts a week.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the terms specifying the method of payment, such as "check", "credit card", or "electronic transfer", are clearly stated alongside "payable by" to provide complete payment instructions.

Common error

Avoid using prepositions other than "by" after "payable". Using phrases like "payable to" when you mean to indicate who is responsible for making the payment is grammatically incorrect and can cause confusion about the payer's identity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "payable by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying the entity or individual responsible for making a payment. It indicates who has the obligation to pay a certain amount, as illustrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "payable by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase for specifying the payer of a debt or fee. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples across diverse sources. While alternatives like "to be paid by" exist, "payable by" is direct and clear, fitting well in business, legal, and financial settings. Ensure correct usage by avoiding substitution with "payable to", which has an opposite meaning. Understanding its function and context guarantees clarity in communications related to financial responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be paid by

Replaces "payable" with a more direct verb form, emphasizing the act of paying.

the payer is

Directly identifies who is making the payment.

due from

Shifts the focus to the origin of the payment, indicating who owes the money.

accounts payable by

Focuses specifically on the accounting aspect of who is responsible for paying invoices.

to be settled by

Emphasizes the resolution of a debt or obligation through payment.

defrayed by

Specifies that someone's expenses will be covered or paid for.

the responsibility of

Broadens the scope beyond just payment to include any kind of obligation or duty.

borne by

Similar to "at the expense of", indicating who ultimately carries the cost.

chargeable to

Indicates that a cost or expense will be billed to a specific entity.

at the expense of

Highlights who bears the financial burden or cost of something.

FAQs

How do I use "payable by" in a sentence?

Use "payable by" to clearly state who is responsible for making a payment. For example, "The invoice is "payable by" the client within 30 days."

What's a good alternative to "payable by"?

A direct alternative is "to be paid by". For instance, instead of "The fee is "payable by" the tenant", you can say "The fee is "to be paid by" the tenant".

Is it correct to say "payable to" instead of "payable by"?

No, "payable to" indicates who receives the payment, while "payable by" indicates who makes the payment. They have opposite meanings.

Can I use "due from" interchangeably with "payable by"?

"Due from" emphasizes the obligation from the payer's perspective, while "payable by" focuses on the payer's responsibility. They are similar, but ""payable by"" is more direct in specifying the payer.