paying it forward vs paying forward

Both 'paying it forward' and 'paying forward' are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They both refer to the concept of doing a good deed for someone else without expecting anything in return. The choice between the two depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 13, 2024 • 184 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the act of doing a good deed for someone else without expecting anything in return.

"paying it forward"

This phrase is used to express the concept of repaying a kindness by helping others in need, creating a chain of goodwill. It emphasizes the idea of passing on a favor to others.

Examples:

I decided to pay it forward by buying coffee for the person behind me in line.
She believes in paying it forward and often volunteers at the local shelter.
The concept of paying it forward encourages people to spread kindness and generosity.
The movie 'Pay It Forward' popularized the idea of helping others without expecting anything in return.
Many people participate in paying it forward by performing random acts of kindness.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jesus taught in Matthew 18:21–35, that paying it forward is a requirement for those who have received God's forgiveness. He told a parable of a man who had ...
Feb 2, 2020 ... By paying it forward, you can make quite an important difference in this world. Not only will you brighten another person's mood, ...
Mar 19, 2018 ... ... used as an imperative appeal or encouragement, with doing it referred to as paying it forward or and having done it paid it forward.

Alternatives:

doing a good deed for someone else without expecting anything in return
helping others in need
spreading kindness and generosity
performing random acts of kindness
repaying a kindness by helping others

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey the idea of passing on a good deed or favor to others without expecting anything in return.

"paying forward"

This phrase is used to describe the act of helping someone else as a way of repaying a kindness received, with the expectation that the recipient will also help others in the future.

Examples:

She believes in paying forward the generosity she has received in her life.
The community encourages paying forward acts of kindness to create a culture of giving.
By paying forward the help he received, he hopes to inspire others to do the same.
The concept of paying forward promotes a cycle of goodwill and generosity.
Many people practice paying forward by extending a helping hand to those in need.

Show examples from the web [+]

Apr 9, 2012 ... We explore paying forward greed, equality, and generosity in the form of both money (Experiments 1 and 2) and labor (Exper-.
This first principle is about perpetuating a positive cycle of paying forward kind acts. There is value in doing this not only for the beneficiaries of ...
Jun 17, 2014 ... Generalized reciprocity in organizations is sustained more by the mechanism of paying forward help received than by the mechanism of rewarding ...
... been a personal responsibility because a lot of people helped me along the way, so it's a way of me paying back and paying forward,” Verdugo says.
Resource asymmetry reduces generosity and paying forward generosity, among the resource-advantaged and disadvantaged. Soc Sci Res. 2023 Jan;109:102786. doi: ...

Alternatives:

passing on a good deed to others
repaying a kindness by helping others
creating a culture of giving
inspiring others to help
extending a helping hand to those in need

How TextRanch works

Fast and reliable proofreading, editing, and language advice tailored to your needs.

1. Choose Your Service

Quick Text Editing

Emails and short texts
Proofreading & editing
Ready in 5-10 minutes

SUBMIT YOUR TEXT NOW

Document Editing

Documents of any type (*.docx)
Advanced & Premium editing
Ready in as little as 4 hours

UPLOAD YOUR DOCUMENT

Ask an Editor

Personalized answers to your language questions
Expert guidance on grammar, style, and usage
Ready in 24 hours

ASK YOUR QUESTION

Upload your document or paste your text directly into our platform. Your text is reviewed and refined by our expert editors (real people, not machines) who understand the nuances of English. Expect corrections, improvements, and insightful suggestions that enhance the clarity, tone, and professionalism of your writing.

3. Receive Your Polished Text

In just a few minutes (or hours for longer documents), you'll receive your corrected text. Review the changes, make any final adjustments, and confidently share your polished English with the world.
You can count on a personalized, friendly service every time you use TextRanch. We're committed to helping you make a great impression with every word you write.

We proofread and edit these types of texts and documents:

Short texts Business Emails Personal Emails Social media posts Resume and Curriculum Vitae Business documents Sales proposal Research and academic papers Thesis Dissertation Essays Articles Blog posts and much more....

Why choose TextRanch?

Complete Privacy

Your texts are safe and secure with us. We never share your information with third parties.

Affordable Pricing

No subscription fees and rates up to 50% cheaper than other online editing services.

100% Satisfaction

We guarantee that you'll be satisfied with the quality of our service or your money back.

Top Customer Service

Our team is here to help you with any questions you may have. Contact us anytime.

Our Customers Love Us!

We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283125 votes, and

4.9 Excellent - Reviews 2.137

"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"

Zubair
from Bangladesh

"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"

Arturo
from Mexico

"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."

Selena
from USA

"Wow, it's just so excellent. I never would have believed I could have a sure and excellent English companion. Thanks, TextRanch."

Ifiok
from Nigeria

"This is my first time using TextRanch, and I like how the editors take time to correct my text. To everyone who has never used TextRanch before, I highly recommend trying it."

Wilson
from France

"It is an amazing source of feedback because, as a non-native speaker, I really need to have a reliable helper correct my text."

Susan
from Germany

paying it forward vs paying forward