really paying off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really paying off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an effort or investment is yielding positive results or benefits. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, my efforts are finally really paying off with this promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

So it's really paying off for us".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think those changes are really paying off".

The New York Times

"I've been working out, and it's really paying off," Sorenstam said.

The New York Times - Sports

"But it's really paying off the officials that's expensive," says Aung Win, shaking his head.

The Guardian

"Investment in must-see sports is really paying off," Mr. Bewkes said, crediting the NCAA basketball telecasts on the TBS, TNT and truTV channels.

The New York Times

"People in LA have always been willing to try new stuff, and now it's really paying off," he says with a smile.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

It really paid off.

The New York Times - Sports

"Those steps really paid off big time".

The New York Times

"This experiment really paid off," says Tsai.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Those eggs really paid off for me.

The Washington Post

This is where preparation really pays off.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "really paying off", ensure the context clearly establishes the effort or investment that is now producing positive results. For example, 'After investing in employee training, the increased productivity is "really paying off"'.

Common error

Avoid claiming something is "really paying off" if the positive outcome cannot be directly linked to a specific action or investment. Ensure there's a clear cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really paying off" functions as a predicate within a sentence, describing the current state of something (an action, investment, strategy) yielding positive and noticeable results. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "really paying off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey that previous efforts or investments are now yielding positive results. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, but also appears in academic and business settings. While generally neutral in tone, writers should consider more formal alternatives for scientific writing. Remember to ensure a clear cause-and-effect relationship when using this phrase to avoid misattributing results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bringing significant benefits

Highlights the advantages gained from a particular action or investment.

proving highly beneficial

Stresses the advantageous nature of the situation.

yielding substantial returns

Focuses on the financial aspect of the positive outcome.

delivering impressive results

Emphasizes the impact and effectiveness of the results.

generating considerable success

Highlights the successful nature of the endeavor.

bearing considerable fruit

Emphasizes the positive results as a product of effort, using a metaphorical image.

producing excellent outcomes

Focuses on the quality of the results achieved.

reaping significant rewards

Focuses on the gains or compensation received for efforts.

showing marked improvement

Indicates a clear and noticeable positive change.

paying dividends handsomely

Similar to 'yielding returns' but with more emphasis on the generosity of the outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "really paying off" in a sentence?

You can use "really paying off" to describe a situation where previous efforts or investments are now producing positive results. For example, "The new marketing strategy is "really paying off" with increased sales."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "really paying off"?

Some alternatives to "really paying off" include "yielding substantial returns", "bearing considerable fruit", or "bringing significant benefits", depending on the specific context.

Is it more appropriate to say "really paying off" or "really paid off"?

"Really paying off" (present continuous) indicates an ongoing benefit, while "really paid off" (past simple) indicates that the benefit has already been realized. The choice depends on whether the positive outcome is still occurring or has concluded.

How formal is the phrase "really paying off"?

The phrase "really paying off" is generally considered informal to neutral and is acceptable in most contexts, including news and media. However, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more sophisticated alternatives.