Grammar fix
pay a fine
pay a penalty
to give money as a punishment for breaking a law or rule.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
He had to pay a fine for driving without a seatbelt.
If you break the rules in my city, you usually have to pay a fine, for example, if you litter or use public transport without a ticket.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: He payed a fine.
Say: He paid a fine.
Past tense of 'pay' is 'paid', not 'payed'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Remit a monetary penalty' is legalese; 'pay a fine' is plain.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
pay a fine
- pay a fine
- a hefty fine
- get a fine
- a parking fine