was paid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was paid" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a payment has been made to someone in the past. Example: "The contractor was paid for the work completed last month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This one was paid.

The New York Times

He was paid £6.

Independent

That commission was paid?

Independent

And it was paid for.

The New York Times

A terrible price was paid.

The New York Times

I was paid by check.

The New York Times

(He was paid with books).

The New Yorker

No compensation was paid, either.

The Economist

She was paid in full.

The New Yorker

The girl was paid nothing.

The New York Times

The fine was paid.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was paid", ensure the subject clearly identifies who received the payment to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "The bill was paid", specify "The contractor was paid for the services."

Common error

Avoid using "was paid" in overly passive constructions that obscure who made the payment. Instead of "The money was paid", consider "The company paid the money" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was paid" functions as a passive voice verb phrase, indicating that the subject received money or compensation. It shows that an action (payment) was performed on the subject, rather than the subject performing the action. Ludwig AI confirms this usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was paid" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase that describes the fulfillment of a financial transaction. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications. While alternatives like "received payment" offer an active voice perspective, "was paid" remains a versatile and clear way to indicate that a payment has been made. When writing, ensure the subject receiving the payment is clearly identified and be aware of the register to maintain consistency in your writing. With a high source quality score of 88 and an expert rating of 4.6, the phrase is deemed reliable and authoritative, making it a valuable component of effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received payment

Replaces the passive voice with an active construction, focusing on the recipient of the payment.

was compensated

Emphasizes that the payment was made as recompense for something, like services rendered or damages.

payment was made

Focuses on the action of making the payment rather than the recipient.

funds were disbursed

Implies a formal or official transfer of money, often in a business or organizational context.

the debt was settled

Highlights the resolution of an outstanding debt or obligation.

the invoice was cleared

Refers specifically to the payment of an invoice, indicating completion of a transaction.

the bill was settled

Indicates that a bill was paid.

remuneration was provided

Uses more formal language to describe the act of paying someone for their services or work.

the agreed sum was transferred

Focuses on the transfer of a specific amount of money that was previously agreed upon.

money was remitted

Suggests that money was sent as a payment, often across borders or long distances.

FAQs

How can I use "was paid" in a sentence?

You can use "was paid" to indicate that someone or something received money for services rendered, goods provided, or debts settled. For example: "The employee "was paid" their salary", or "The invoice "was paid" on time".

What's the difference between "was paid" and "received payment"?

"Was paid" is in the passive voice, focusing on the payment being made. "Received payment", on the other hand, is in the active voice, emphasizing the recipient of the payment. Using "received payment" can make your sentence more direct.

Is it better to say "was paid" or "got paid"?

"Was paid" is generally considered more formal and grammatically correct than "got paid". While "got paid" is common in informal speech, "was paid" is preferred in formal writing.

What are some alternatives to "was paid"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was compensated", "received remuneration", or "was reimbursed".