Happy New Year my friends!
I have just received a letter from my school librarian on the stroke of 00:00. He asked me if I had paid for the library card.
Given that context, what is the difference between these two:
(1) You can pay for this library card via ABC Web. Vs (2) You can pay this library card via ABC Web.
I am confused of the 2nd sentence because I had heard some people say these:
"I forgot to pay for the gas bill","I forgot to pay the gas bill".
"Mum and Dad paid for my driving lessons", "Mum and Dad paid my driving lessons"
It is wrong to say "pay for the card fee".
Is it wrong to say "I have made the payment for the card fee" either?
Answer
There are three things to consider. The first two are easy: who are you paying? why are you paying?
The third is a bit hard to explain but think of the need for a payment as a thing on its own distinct from the person you are paying and the reason you are paying. This often takes the form of a document like a bill or invoice but also could be more of an idea like a debt or a fee.
Who you are paying and the "need to pay" can be used without "for". In fancy words, they can be "direct objects" of "pay". The reason you are paying should be attached with "for".
"You pay the library."
The library is who you are giving money to.
"You pay for the library card."
The library card is why you are paying. You are not giving money to the little bit of plastic so you do not "pay" it and instead "pay for" it.
"You pay the library card fee."
The library card fee is the idea of needing to pay. You can think of it as a hole you need to fill with money into in order get the library card. Because the money is going into that hole, you "pay" it rather than "pay for" it.
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