How to Use Paid or Payed (Explained, Examples & Worksheet)

What's the past tense of "pay"?

The past tense of pay is paid. The past participle is also paid. Pay is an irregular verb, meaning it doesn't follow the regular -ed pattern for past forms. The form "payed" is also correct but is primarily used in nautical contexts.

Definition of pay

To pay means to give money in exchange for goods or services; to settle a debt or obligation. It can also mean to suffer consequences or to be worthwhile.

The past tense of pay is paid.
The past participle of pay is paid.

Verb forms of 'pay'

Simple Cont. Perfect Perfect Cont.

Present

I/you/they pay • He/she/it pays

Past

I/you/they paid • He/she/it paid

Future

I/you/they will pay • He/she/it will pay

Present

I am/you are paying • He/she/it is paying

Past

I was/you were paying • He/she/it was paying

Future

I/you will be paying • He/she/it will be paying

Present

I/you have paid • He/she/it has paid

Past

I/you had paid • He/she/it had paid

Future

I/you will have paid • He/she/it will have paid

Present

I have been paying • He/she/it has been paying

Past

I had been paying • He/she/it had been paying

Future

I will have been paying • He/she/it will have been paying

Is "pay" a regular or irregular verb?

Pay is an irregular verb. Instead of forming the past tense by adding -ed (as regular verbs do), pay changes to paid for both simple past tense and past participle. This is characteristic of irregular verb patterns in English.

When to use paid vs payed

I paid for the groceries yesterday.

The sailor payed out the anchor chain.

The verb pay uses the same form paid for both simple past tense and past participle. When used as a participle (shown in the second sentence), it requires an auxiliary verb like have, has, or had. The simple past doesn't use a helper verb since it's a complete tense, so paid can stand alone in sentences, whereas participles require an auxiliary verb.

Similar irregular verbs

Pay follows a pattern common to several other irregular verbs where the past tense and past participle are identical. These verbs typically involve a vowel change from the present form.

pay

Past: paid

Past part: paid

say

Past: said

Past part: said

lay

Past: laid

Past part: laid

stay

Past: stayed

Past part: stayed

Sentence examples: pay, paid, paid

Pay (present tense)

• I pay my bills on time every month.

• She pays attention to details in her work.

• They pay extra for premium services.

Paid (past simple)

• He paid for the groceries yesterday.

• We paid the rent on time last month.

• She paid her debts in full.

Paid (present or past perfect)

• I have paid all my bills this month.

• The invoice has been paid in full.

• They had paid the deposit before moving in.

Synonyms & nearby words

Synonyms for pay

compensate remunerate settle reimburse reward

Nearby phrases

pay attention pay off pay back pay up pay out

FAQs

Is "payed" correct?

Yes, "payed" is correct but is primarily used in nautical contexts meaning to release rope or cable. For general use, "paid" is the standard past tense of "pay."

What is the past tense of "pay"?

The past tense of "pay" is "paid."

What is the past participle of "pay"?

The past participle of "pay" is "paid."

Is "pay" a regular or irregular verb?

"Pay" is an irregular verb, which means it doesn't follow the standard -ed pattern for past tense formation.

When do you use "payed"?

"Payed" is used in nautical contexts, such as when sailors release rope or cable. For all other uses, "paid" is the correct form.

Sources

"Pay, V. (1)." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, June 2025, https://doi.org/10.1093/OED/1139292520.
Harper, Douglas. "Etymology of pay." Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com/word/pay. Accessed 15 October, 2025.