It’s easy to get tripped up by “paid” and “payed.” A lot of people learning or using English as a second language find it confusing, and native speakers sometimes stumble, too.
The good news is that the general rule is simple: “Paid” is the usual past tense and past participle of the verb “pay.” “Payed” is a less common variation used in specific situations.
This article will help you understand the difference between “paid” and “payed,” including clear definitions, correct usage, and common mistakes to avoid. We’ll help you use “paid” and “payed” with confidence.
“Paid” and how to use it
The word “paid” is the past tense and past participle of the verb “pay.” You’d use it in sentences like:
- I paid the bill yesterday.
- She has already paid for the groceries.
The word “paid” is the correct word to use when you’re talking about exchanging money for goods or services, like paying bills, salaries, or debts.
“Paid” can also work as an adjective, meaning “having been paid.” For example:
- He is a paid employee.
- This is a paid advertisement.
There are also a number of common phrases that correctly use the word “paid,” such as “paid attention,” “paid off,” “well-paid,” and “paid leave.” It’s never correct to say “payed attention” or “payed off.”
“Payed”: The Nautical Exception
Here’s where things get a little salty. “Payed” is a real word, but you’ll mostly see it bobbing around in nautical contexts, like on ships or in old sea stories.
In the world of seafaring, “payed” means something very specific. It’s related to ropes and ships and the general business of keeping a vessel shipshape. For example, a sailor might “pay out” a rope, meaning to let it out slowly and carefully. Or, someone might “pay” a ship’s bottom, which means to coat it with tar or pitch to protect the wood.
The key thing to remember is that “payed” is almost exclusively used in these nautical situations. Outside of that, “paid” is going to be the correct word nearly every time.
Here are a couple of examples of “payed” in a sentence:
- “The sailors payed the deck seams with oakum and pitch.”
- “He carefully payed out the anchor line.”
Common mistakes
One of the trickiest “payed vs. paid” mix-ups is “paid off” versus “payed off.” Use “paid off” when you’re talking about debts, investments, or hard work. For example, “The student loans were finally paid off.” or “Her hard work paid off with a promotion.” “Payed off” is never right in those situations.
Another common confusion is “paid attention” vs. “payed attention.” The standard and correct phrasing is “paid attention.” For example, “He paid close attention to the professor’s lecture.”
Always consider the context to choose the right word.
Synonyms for “paid”
Sometimes, you want to avoid repeating the same word over and over. If you’re writing about money, “paid” is a word you might use a lot. Here are some synonyms for “paid” that might work in different contexts:
- Compensated
- Reimbursed
- Remunerated
- Settled
- Discharged
For example, instead of saying “They paid him for the extra hours,” you could say, “They compensated him for his overtime work.” And instead of “She paid for her plane ticket,” you might write, “She was reimbursed for her travel expenses.” Using a different word can sometimes make your writing feel less repetitive and more sophisticated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people spell “paid” as “payed”?
Honestly, it’s usually a simple mistake! English can be tricky, and “paid” doesn’t exactly follow the rules we expect when forming the past tense of verbs. People often apply the pattern they know (like “play” becomes “played”) to “pay,” resulting in “payed.” It’s understandable, but incorrect in most cases.
What is an example of “payed”?
The word “payed” is rarely used, but it does have a specific nautical context. It refers to the act of letting out (paying out) a rope or cable. For example, “The sailors payed out the anchor line to slow the ship’s drift.” This usage is quite specialized and unlikely to come up in everyday conversation.
When can I use “payed”?
You can use “payed” when you’re talking about nautical activities related to ropes and cables. Otherwise, stick to “paid.” Unless you’re writing a sea shanty or a historical novel about sailing, you probably won’t need “payed.”
Which is correct: “paid” or “payed”?
“Paid” is the correct past tense and past participle of the verb “to pay” in almost all situations. “Payed” is only correct in the specific nautical context of letting out rope. So, 99.9% of the time, you want to use “paid.” It’s the safe bet!
To Conclude
So, what’s the difference between “paid” and “payed”? Simply put, “paid” is the standard past tense and past participle of “pay,” while “payed” is mostly used in nautical contexts. Unless you’re talking about ropes on a ship, “paid” is almost always the right word.
As always, context is key. Paying attention to how you’re using the word will help you choose the correct form and avoid common writing errors. Practice using “paid” in your everyday writing, and you’ll quickly master the difference between “paid” and “payed.”