pay a visit

Meaning

This expression means to go and see someone or visit a place, often for a short time. It sounds slightly more polite or intentional than just saying 'visit.' It is commonly used in both friendly social situations and professional contexts.

Examples

• We should pay a visit to the new museum downtown this weekend.

  We should pay a visit to the new museum downtown this weekend.

• I need to pay a visit to my grandmother on Sunday afternoon.

  I need to pay a visit to my grandmother on Sunday afternoon.

• The doctor advised me to pay a visit to a specialist.

  The doctor advised me to pay a visit to a specialist.

• While you are in Seattle, you must pay a visit to the Space Needle.

  While you are in Seattle, you must pay a visit to the Space Needle.

• I'll pay a visit to your office tomorrow to sign the contract.

  I'll pay a visit to your office tomorrow to sign the contract.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I want to make a visit to my friend.

  ✓ I want to pay a visit to my friend.

  In English, we use the verb 'pay' with 'visit' to form this collocation, not the verb 'make'.

• ✗ We paid a visit at the museum.

  ✓ We paid a visit to the museum.

  The preposition that always follows the phrase 'pay a visit' is 'to,' not 'at' or 'in'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you have some free time, you should ___ to the local library.

  💡 Go see a place.

  Show answer

  pay a visit

• I need to ___ to my dentist for a quick checkup.

  💡 Go see a professional.

  Show answer

  pay a visit