wages
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.the money a worker receives regularly for their work, often calculated by the hour or day.
n.regular payment, typically on an hourly, daily, or weekly basis, made by an employer to an employee.
Simple“The factory workers are demanding higher wages and better working conditions.”
In context“Despite the increase in productivity, real wages have remained stagnant for the majority of the workforce over the last decade.”
UsageUsually plural in modern usage.
PitfallThe company increased the worker's wage. The company increased the workers' wages.While 'wage' can be singular, it is much more common to use the plural 'wages' when talking about the money someone earns.
- 02 C2 Proficiency
n.the result or reward of doing something, usually something bad.
n.the natural or deserved consequences of an action or lifestyle.
Simple“In the old story, the wages of greed was a life of loneliness.”
In context“The philosopher argued that the wages of such reckless political ambition would inevitably be the collapse of the state itself.”
UsageOften takes a singular verb in this specific idiomatic context.
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to start and continue a war, a fight, or a campaign.
v.to carry on or engage in a war, campaign, or similar organized activity.
Simple“The government wages a constant battle against illegal fishing in these waters.”
In context“The non-profit organisation regularly wages awareness campaigns to educate the public about the dangers of water scarcity.”
UsageThird-person singular present form of the verb 'wage'.