When you borrow money, you can return it later.
The idea
Pay back means return borrowed money. Say pay back the loan or pay the loan back, but pay it back. The past is paid. It is neutral everyday English.
Examples
- I will pay back the loan tomorrow.
- Please pay the money back soon.
- She paid it back in May.
- Our neighbour paid us back yesterday.
- Can you pay back ten euros today?
- The shop owner paid the bank back slowly.
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Watch out
Do not put an object pronoun after the particle: say pay it back, not pay back it.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. I borrowed five euros. I will pay ___. (them back / back them)
Show answer or example answer
them back
them back puts the pronoun before the particle.
Choose the correct option. They ___ back the loan last week. (paid / payed)
Show answer or example answer
paid
paid is the irregular past form for last week.
Choose the correct option. Please pay ___ the money you borrowed. (back / up)
Show answer or example answer
back
back expresses returning the borrowed money.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct option. I borrowed five euros. I will pay ___. (them back / back them)
Choose the correct option. They ___ back the loan last week. (paid / payed)
Choose the correct option. Please pay ___ the money you borrowed. (back / up)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Describe money you borrowed and when you will return it.