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Vincent Teo Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Pay back paretns

Can I say,

He studies hard in order to pay back his parents.
  

Top answer

I assume "pay back" is referring to paying money? I guess this is OK, but it might be better to say: He studies hard so (that) he will be able to pay back his parents. This is because his studying is (presumably) not helping him to pay the money now, but hopefully will at some point in the future when he gets a good job.

— Mr Wordy

  • I assume "pay back" is referring to paying money?
  • I guess this is OK, but it might be better to say: He studies hard so (that) he will be able to pay back his parents.
  • This is because his studying is (presumably) not helping him to pay the money now, but hopefully will at some point in the future when he gets a good job.
  • If you're not referring to paying money then "pay back" is probably not the right expression.
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3 Answers
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I assume "pay back" is referring to paying money? I guess this is OK, but it might be better to say:

He studies hard so (that) he will be able to pay back his parents.

This is because his studying is (presumably) not helping him to pay the money now, but hopefully will at some point in the future when he gets a good job.

If you're not referring to paying money th
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Thanks. ,but got any suitable word to used instead of "pay back"?
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Are you referring to paying back money that has been lent?

If you are then "pay back" is fine. Perhaps my reply wasn't clear on that point. "Repay" is also fine.
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