repay with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "repay with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of returning a favor, debt, or kindness in a specific manner or with a particular item. Example: "I will repay with gratitude for all the help you have given me during this difficult time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"It was a gift that I hope to repay with safety".

The Guardian - Sport

They may be vegetable sellers in Chennai, India, who borrow money at dawn and repay with exorbitant interest at dusk.

The Economist

Savings can also reduce the amount that a student or parent must borrow and repay (with interest).

The New York Times

Milk and medicine arrived with the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, whose later incarnation, Unicef, she would repay with years of hard work.

The New York Times - Books

Members with balance-of-payments deficits may borrow money in foreign currencies, which they must repay with interest, by purchasing with their own currencies the foreign currencies held by the IMF.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Fiscal Responsibility Law of 2000 bailed out local governments who had taken on debts they could not repay, with one of the conditions being the acceptance of strict limits on total future indebtedness.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Or repaying with a small gift.

The New York Times

Other romances follow, the most significant one curdled by a cruel betrayal that Bowman ultimately repays with commensurate viciousness.

The New York Times - Books

The government repays with oil," he said in explaining why the push to exploit resources in the Amazon had accelerated in recent years.

The Guardian

They must start repaying with interest the loans that paid for those fees, among the highest in the world, when they begin to earn £21,000 or more.

The Guardian

In Cuba, Venezuela has supplied nearly 100,000 barrels of cut-rate oil per day — a deal Cuba repays with doctors and other services — making Mr. Chávez a benefactor on a par with the Soviet Union, which once bankrolled Castro's economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "repay with" to emphasize the specific method or means of reciprocating. This highlights the deliberate nature of the act and the chosen form of return.

Common error

Avoid using "repay with" when simply describing an exchange that isn't a direct return for something received. For instance, don't say "I bought the car and repaid the seller with money"; instead, use a more straightforward verb like "paid".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "repay with" functions as a verb phrase followed by a preposition, indicating the action of returning something (a debt, favor, or kindness) using a specific means or method. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it clearly expresses the intentional act of giving something back.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "repay with" is a versatile construct used to describe the act of returning a favor, debt, or kindness through a specific means. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse writing contexts. Its frequency is considered common, appearing often in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When crafting sentences with "repay with", it's important to specify the object being returned and to avoid its use in simple exchange scenarios. Alternatives like "reciprocate with" or "compensate with" offer similar but slightly nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reciprocate with

This alternative directly implies a mutual exchange or return of something.

compensate with

Focuses on providing something, often to offset a loss or service.

return with

A general term for giving back something in response.

recompense with

Implies a more formal or significant act of repayment.

reward with

Suggests giving something positive in return for good behavior or actions.

requite with

A somewhat archaic term for repaying or returning something.

render with

Indicates providing something as a form of repayment or service.

balance with

Highlights the act of creating equilibrium through repayment.

refund with

Focuses on returning money or value.

counter with

Suggests replying to an action or statement with something of equal value.

FAQs

How can I use "repay with" in a sentence?

The phrase "repay with" is used to describe returning something, whether it's a debt, a favor, or kindness, in a specific manner. For example: "I will repay with hard work the trust you've placed in me."

What are some alternatives to "repay with"?

You can use alternatives like "reciprocate with", "compensate with", or "return with", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "recompense with" instead of "repay with"?

Yes, "recompense with" is generally considered more formal and implies a more significant act of repayment than "repay with". It suggests a deliberate and often generous return for something received.

When is it incorrect to use "repay with"?

It's incorrect to use "repay with" when there is no sense of direct return or reciprocation. For example, if you're simply describing buying something, use "pay" instead of "repay with".