{"id":5673,"date":"2024-09-06T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-06T01:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/?p=5673"},"modified":"2024-09-06T01:00:01","modified_gmt":"2024-09-06T01:00:01","slug":"pay-vs-spend-vs-cost","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/","title":{"rendered":"\"Pay,\" \"Spend\" and \"Cost\": What's the Difference? [Updated]"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Pay\" >Pay<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Spend\" >Spend<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Cost\" >Cost<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Noun_Forms\" >Noun Forms<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Other_Uses\" >Other Uses<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/pay-vs-spend-vs-cost\/#Wrap-up\" >Wrap-up<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>No matter if you're buying clothes, food or a house, it's important to know the words necessary for getting the things you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Pay,\" \"spend\" and \"cost\" are all important words to know for shopping, but each one is used in a specific way depending on the focus of your sentence. Let's take a closer look at them in order to understand when and how to use them properly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A woman placing her smartwatch over a payment terminal\" class=\"wp-image-9108\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-420x280.jpg 420w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2024\/07\/31074705\/pay_spend_cost_2-840x560.jpg 840w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay\"><\/span><strong>Pay<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Let's begin with \"pay,\" which is mostly used as a verb meaning \u201cto give money in return for work, goods, services, etc.\u201d The focus is on an action someone is performing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Someone pays<\/strong> (for something).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Please <strong>pay<\/strong> the cashier at the front of the store.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>paid<\/strong> (the fee) for my friend because she forgot her purse.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Can I <strong>pay<\/strong> with a credit card?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Please <strong>pay<\/strong> your bill by the 15th of next month.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I don't need a wallet; I can use my smartwatch to <strong>pay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Neither \u201cspend\u201d nor \u201ccost\u201d can be used in these examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spend\"><\/span><strong>Spend<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, \"spend\" as a verb means \u201cto use up\u201d or \u201cto give money for goods or services.\u201d This is almost the same as the definition for \u201cpay!\u201d Sometimes you can use either word without changing a sentence\u2019s meaning, but you\u2019ll need to change the preposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>pay<\/strong> about $12 a month <strong>for<\/strong> my Netflix subscription.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>spend<\/strong> about $12 a month <strong>on<\/strong> my Netflix subscription.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>(Notice that \"pay\" needs \"for\" and \"spend\" needs \"on.\")<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But in other situations, you cannot do this. For example, you cannot say \u201cspend the cashier\u201d or \u201cspend a late fee.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So what makes \"spend\" unique? It is used to focus on the payment itself. In other words, a sentence with \u201cspend\u201d is about the money being exchanged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Someone spends (an amount) <\/strong>on something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>They <strong>spent<\/strong> about $2000 on their vacation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I <strong>spent<\/strong> $50 on this jacket and $20 on this hat.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p> What should I <strong>spend<\/strong> this gift certificate on?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>How much did you <strong>spend<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I have a strict budget, so I need to watch how much I <strong>spend<\/strong> each month.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cost\"><\/span><strong>Cost<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, the verb \u201ccost\u201d means \u201cto require payment before something can be received or done.\u201d So the focus of a \"cost\" sentence is on the item or service that must be paid for, not the person performing the action or the amount being paid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>An item or service<\/strong> <strong>costs<\/strong> something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>How much does this shirt <strong>cost<\/strong>?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>I didn\u2019t think it would <strong>cost<\/strong> that much!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It <strong>costs<\/strong> too much to repair the TV, so just buy a new one.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Many groceries <strong>cost<\/strong> more than they did just a few months ago.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The shipping <strong>costs<\/strong> almost as much as the item itself!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, the other two verbs would not work in these sentences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>So, let's review:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She <strong>paid<\/strong> $20 for the book.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The focus is on a person's action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She <strong>spent<\/strong> $20 on the book.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The focus is on an amount of money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The book <strong>costs<\/strong> $20.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The focus is on an item requiring payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Noun_Forms\"><\/span><strong>Noun Forms<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We've covered the main uses in the verb forms, but each of these words can also be used as a noun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Pay\" as a noun refers to money someone receives as a reward for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>My <strong>pay<\/strong> increased after I got promoted.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The <strong>pay<\/strong> for these two jobs is the same.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>He's looking for a new job that offers higher <strong>pay<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>The noun form of \"spend\" isn't common in daily conversation. It refers to the amount of money spent for a particular purpose over a particular length of time. It's mostly used in business situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The company decided to increase its advertising <strong>spend<\/strong> on social media.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The average <strong>spend<\/strong> for each customer is about $30 per visit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>As a noun, \"cost\" refers to the amount of money you have to pay in order to buy or do something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Companies build factories in developing countries because of the lower <strong>cost<\/strong> for workers.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You can upgrade to a better seat for no extra <strong>cost<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Other_Uses\"><\/span><strong>Other Uses<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/01\/31082822\/shutterstock_1692161002-2-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"A young woman paying respect to her smiling grandmother\" class=\"wp-image-5676\" srcset=\"https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/01\/31082822\/shutterstock_1692161002-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/01\/31082822\/shutterstock_1692161002-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/assets.blog.engoo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2023\/01\/31082822\/shutterstock_1692161002-2-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>These words are not only used to talk about money, so let's look at some other ways to use them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\"Pay\" means \"give\" when used together with specific words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>Please <strong>pay attention<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>You should <strong>pay respect<\/strong> to your seniors.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>He <strong>paid<\/strong> the woman <strong>a compliment<\/strong> on her dress.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSpend\u201d can refer to time as well as money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>We'll <strong>spend<\/strong> <strong>one week<\/strong> in Spain before going to Germany.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>She <strong>spent all <a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/travel-fun\/english-idioms-and-expressions-for-the-summer\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">summer<\/a><\/strong> learning how to ride a skateboard.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>He <strong>spent his life<\/strong> making paintings and sculptures.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cCost\u201d can be used to say that something has been lost or that something bad is now necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>All of those overtime hours are <strong>costing<\/strong> him his <strong>health<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>That mistake will <strong>cost<\/strong> us a lot of <strong>extra work<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The politician's advisors warned him that the scandal could <strong>cost<\/strong> him <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/study\/daily-news-lesson-roundup-us-politics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the election<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wrap-up\"><\/span><strong>Wrap-up<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>These three important words for talking about money are similar, but they are not the same. When you aren't sure which one to use, ask yourself if the focus of your sentence is a person, an amount of money, or an item\/service. This is a handy way to help you make the right choice!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have several other articles explaining the difference between similar words and expressions. Take a look!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/whats-the-difference-between-fast-and-quick\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What's the Difference Between \"Fast\" and \"Quick\"?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/whats-the-difference-between-for-sale-and-on-sale\/\">What's the Difference Between \"For Sale\" and \"On Sale\"?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/engoo.com\/blog\/language-tips\/have-to-and-need-to-whats-the-difference\/\">\"Have to\" and \"Need to\": What's the Difference?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No matter if you're buying clothes, food or a house, it's important to know the words necessary for getting the things you need. \"Pay,\" \"spend\" and \"cost\" are all important words to know for shopping,...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":432,"featured_media":9107,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"unified_meta_tagline_field":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[53],"class_list":["post-5673","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-language-tips","tag-whats-the-difference"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>&quot;Pay,&quot; &quot;Spend&quot; and &quot;Cost&quot;: What&#039;s the Difference? 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