pay by card

Use pay by card as a complete thought. You can ask a direct question. 'Can I pay by card?' is perfect. You can also state your intention. 'I will pay by card today.' The preposition by is the key here. It points to the method of transport. Think of it like 'by bus'. The card is the vehicle for your money. You can use it at checkouts. You use it in apps like Uber. You use it on websites like Amazon.

You are at a self-checkout in Tesco. The machine asks for your payment. You select the 'card' icon. You pay by card and leave quickly. Or maybe you are in a taxi. You realize you have no cash. You ask the driver: 'Can I pay by card?' He points to the terminal. You tap your card. Success! No awkward ATM stops needed. Even at small craft markets, people have card readers. Your phone can even be the card. It's like magic, but with debt.

Use this in any retail situation. It works at fancy restaurants. It works at the local grocery store. Use it when you want to be fast. Card payments are usually quicker than cash. Use it when you are tracking spending. Your bank app shows every card transaction. Use it for high-value items. Carrying a thousand dollars in cash is scary. Carrying a card is much safer. Plus, you get those sweet reward points.

Do not use it at tiny stalls. Some local markets only take cash. Avoid it for very small amounts. Some shops have a 'card minimum'. They might charge extra for small payments. Don't use it if the machine is broken. You will see a 'Cash Only' sign. That is the ultimate shopping nightmare. Also, don't use it to pay friends. You 'send' them money instead. Or you 'Venmo' them in the US. 'Paying a friend by card' sounds like a business deal.

Learners often use the wrong preposition. They might say pay with card. This is actually understood by natives. However, pay by card is more common. Never say pay in card. That sounds like you are inside the card.

• ✗ Can I pay in card? → ✓ Can I pay by card?
• ✗ I paid through card. → ✓ I paid by card.
• ✗ Do you accept by card? → ✓ Do you accept cards?

Another mistake is forgetting the article. Don't say pay by a card. It is a general method, so no a is needed.

You might hear pay with plastic. This is a bit old-fashioned now. People also say tap my card. This refers to the contactless action. Put it on my card is for restaurants. It means 'charge this to my account'. Pay electronically is much more formal. You see that on official bills. Go cashless is a popular modern trend. It means living without any physical money. It sounds like a minimalist dream.

You can specify the card type. Pay by credit card is very common. Pay by debit card is for your own money. In the UK, people say pay by contactless. This is very common for small sums. Some people say use my card. 'Can I use my card here?' is very natural. You might also hear chip and pin. This is the older way of inserting. Now, tapping is the undisputed champion. It is the fastest move in the world.

Is pay with card wrong? No, it is totally fine. But pay by card sounds more native. Can I use it for Apple Pay? Yes, it is still 'card' technology. Is it formal or informal? It is neutral. You can say it anywhere. From a pub to a palace. Do I need a physical card? Not always. Digital cards on phones count too. What if the machine fails? Then you must 'pay in cash'. Always carry a backup twenty-pound note!