Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
payed off
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "payed off" is not correct; the correct form is "paid off." You can use "paid off" when referring to a debt that has been settled or when describing a situation where an effort has resulted in a positive outcome.
Example: "After years of hard work, all my efforts finally paid off when I received the promotion."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
16 human-written examples
And talked about film from a feminist perspective (all my days in NOW payed off).
News & Media
And with all proceeds going directly to the IRS the debt was payed off in three years!
News & Media
In an e-mail to an undercover agent, an Irish gangster bragged: "Believe me WE NEVER LOSES A HORN TO CUSTOMS, we have so many contacts and people payed off now we can bring anything we want out of nearly any country into Europe".
News & Media
As we explain in the 'Optimization model equations' subsection, infrastructural investments are payed off by the residents with a one-time connection fee.
In fact, the delay performance of epidemic, for example, is payed off by a large waste of resources (2.5 times more than 1-hop Sociable).
The results for this metric suggest that the overhead introduced by the creation of the clusters, creation of the DHTs, and the proposed enhanced HWMP messages have payed off, allowing to achieve better performance metrics, as discussed above.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
44 human-written examples
The suggestion paid off.
News & Media
The stalking paid off.
News & Media
Her work paid off.
News & Media
"Hard work pays off.
News & Media
Sometimes, it paid off.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Always use the correct spelling, "paid off", to maintain credibility and avoid grammatical errors in your writing. Using the correct spelling will ensure your message is clearly understood.
Common error
The past tense of "pay" is "paid", not "payed". Therefore, the correct phrase is "paid off". Using "payed off" will be perceived as an error. Using the correct form is essential for clarity and professionalism.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "payed off" is intended to function as a phrasal verb, indicating that something has yielded a positive result or a debt has been settled. However, it's a misspelling, as Ludwig AI notes; the correct form is "paid off".
Frequent in
News & Media
68%
Science
25%
Formal & Business
7%
Less common in
Academia
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "payed off" is a misspelling of "paid off", which means that something has resulted in a positive outcome or a debt has been settled. Ludwig AI clearly indicates the misspelling. Although frequently found in various sources like News & Media and Science, the grammatically incorrect form diminishes its credibility, especially in formal contexts. Remember to use the correct spelling, "paid off", to maintain clarity and professionalism in your writing. Consider alternatives such as "yielded results" or "proved beneficial" for varied expression.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
yielded results
Focuses on the outcome or consequence of an action, rather than the effort itself.
proved beneficial
Highlights the positive impact or advantage gained from a particular course of action.
produced dividends
Emphasizes the returns or gains resulting from an investment or endeavor.
borne fruit
Implies that efforts have led to a successful or rewarding outcome, often after a period of time.
achieved success
Highlights the accomplishment or attainment of a desired goal or outcome.
realized benefits
Focuses on the tangible advantages or gains that have been obtained.
settled the debt
Specifically refers to the act of fully discharging or paying off a financial obligation.
cleared the balance
Similar to settling a debt, but often implies a more formal or official process.
repaid the loan
Directly indicates the act of returning money that was borrowed.
recouped the investment
Focuses on recovering the initial capital outlay in an investment or project.
FAQs
What is the correct spelling, "payed off" or "paid off"?
The correct spelling is "paid off". "Payed" is not the past tense of "pay".
What does "paid off" mean?
It means that something has resulted in a positive outcome or that a debt has been settled. For example, "All her hard work paid off when she got the promotion."
Can I use "payed off" in a sentence?
What are some alternatives to "paid off"?
You can use alternatives such as "yielded results", "proved beneficial", or "achieved success" depending on the specific context.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
3.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested