Outstanding debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Outstanding debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the amount of money that is owed and has not yet been paid. Example: "The company is currently facing challenges due to its outstanding debt, which has affected its cash flow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

–Outstanding debt: about 30%.

Forbes

Loehmann's outstanding debt will decline by $115 million.

The New York Times

It now owns a fifth of the government's outstanding debt.

The Economist

(The city currently has $40.8 billion in outstanding debt).

The New York Times

Cerberus holds the remaining third of Cordiant's outstanding debt.

The New York Times

By 2000, the agency's outstanding debt had reached $12 billion.

The New York Times

But all outstanding debt is backed by tax revenues.

The New York Times

(A "haircut" is the financial term for reducing the face value of outstanding debt.

The New Yorker

Roughly half of outstanding debt owed to the public, now $11.7 trillion, is owned by foreigners.

The New York Times

"VULTURE" funds, which chase distressed borrowers for payment of outstanding debt, have few friends outside finance.

The Economist

However, this operation is equivalent to the Treasury shortening the maturity of its outstanding debt.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial health or obligations, be specific about the type of "outstanding debt". Indicate whether it is related to credit cards, loans, or other liabilities for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding debt" interchangeably with "bad debt". "Outstanding debt" simply means debt that hasn't been paid yet, while "bad debt" refers to debt that is unlikely to be recovered. Using the wrong term can misrepresent the financial situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Outstanding debt" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig examples show it describing a financial situation or obligation. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

31%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Outstanding debt" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe unpaid financial obligations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, this phrase serves to describe financial states and obligations. When using "Outstanding debt", remember to differentiate it from "bad debt" and be specific about the type of debt for maximum clarity. Alternative phrases like "unpaid balance" or "existing liabilities" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unpaid balance

Focuses on the amount that has not been paid, similar to "Outstanding debt" but less formal.

Outstanding financial obligation

A more verbose but explicit way to refer to debt that remains unpaid.

Due debt

Highlights that the debt is currently payable.

Existing liabilities

A more formal term emphasizing the legal or financial obligation.

Accrued debt

Implies debt that has accumulated over time, similar but emphasizes the accumulation aspect.

Remaining debt

Focuses on the portion of debt that is yet to be paid off.

Current indebtedness

Highlights the present state of owing money; a formal synonym.

Outstanding liabilities

Broader term including any obligations, not just financial.

Uncleared dues

Suggests a formal obligation that is yet to be settled, like membership fees.

Unsettled account

Refers to an invoice or bill that has not been paid.

FAQs

How to use "Outstanding debt" in a sentence?

You can use "Outstanding debt" to describe the amount of money owed that hasn't been paid. For example, "The company is struggling to manage its "outstanding debt"".

What can I say instead of "Outstanding debt"?

You can use alternatives like "unpaid balance", "existing liabilities", or "accrued debt" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Outstanding debt" or "Outstanding debts"?

"Outstanding debt" refers to the total amount owed. "Outstanding debts" emphasizes individual debts. The best choice depends on whether you're referring to a total amount or individual obligations.

What's the difference between "Outstanding debt" and "Bad debt"?

"Outstanding debt" refers to the amount of money owed that has not been paid. "Bad debt", on the other hand, refers to debt that is unlikely to be recovered.