We are deeply indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We are deeply indebted" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express gratitude or acknowledgment of a significant favor or support received. Example: "We are deeply indebted to our supporters for their unwavering commitment." Alternative expressions include "We are profoundly grateful" and "We owe a great debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

We are deeply indebted to the families of individuals included in this study.

Nature

We are deeply indebted to the Fisher family and our close friends for all they've done for us.

The New York Times

We are deeply indebted to the personal guidance he provided while serving as a Board member and as the Chamberlain of the Friars.

The New York Times

We are deeply indebted to many participants in the WAIS Divide project and especially thank K. Taylor, M. Twickler, the National Ice Core Laboratory, the Ice Drilling Design and Operations (IDDO) for ice drilling, the New York Air National Guard for airlift, and the Office of Polar Programs of the US National Science Foundation.

Nature

We are deeply indebted to Prof. Weerachai Siripunvaraporn and two anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and suggestions that improved the manuscript.

Earth, Planets and Space

We are deeply indebted to Prof Ann Hamric, for the contribution by sharing her expertise with MDS-R and for her insightful advices regarding the manuscript.

Annals of Intensive Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

In the words of LT Hobhouse, a thinker to whom both Labour and Liberal traditions are deeply indebted, as progressives we want "a new spirit of economics – the spirit of mutual help, the sense of a common good".

The Guardian - Opinion

In both America and Britain households are deeply indebted.

The Economist

NASA and Zin Technologies are deeply indebted to the support organization for MS-DOS Kermit.

Columbia University

They are deeply indebted to Ed Ruscha's stenciled drawings of found phrases.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of the arguments in this book are deeply indebted to other writers.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal tributes or obituaries, use this phrase to acknowledge the lasting impact a person had on a community or organization.

Common error

Avoid using "We are deeply indebted" in contexts where you might be literally talking about financial loans, as it may create ambiguity. For financial contexts, use clearer terms like 'heavily in debt' or 'financially leveraged' to avoid sounding like you are expressing gratitude when you are actually discussing a liability.

Linguistic Context

In English grammar, "We are deeply indebted" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It consists of a subject ('We'), a linking verb ('are'), and an adjectival complement modified by an intensifier ('deeply indebted'). According to Ludwig AI, it is used to attribute a state of significant moral or professional obligation to a collective group.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The expression "We are deeply indebted" is a highly effective tool for conveying serious, professional gratitude. Ludwig AI shows that it is a mainstay in the scientific community, particularly in the acknowledgments of peer-reviewed research, where it honors colleagues, participants, and funding bodies. It is also a staple of high-quality journalism when discussing legacies or significant collective support. When you use this phrase, you are signaling that the help you received was not just helpful, but foundational. It is most effective when followed by a specific mention of who helped and what they provided, ensuring the gratitude feels earned and sincere.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We are profoundly grateful

Replaces the metaphor of debt with a stronger focus on the emotion of gratitude.

We owe a great debt

Uses a noun-based structure to emphasize the magnitude of the favor received.

We are immensely thankful

Slightly less formal but maintains a high level of intensity in expressing thanks.

We are highly appreciative

Focuses on the value recognized in the assistance provided.

We are greatly beholden

A more traditional and slightly archaic way of expressing a sense of duty and thanks.

We are sincerely appreciative

Emphasizes the authenticity and honesty of the gratitude expressed.

We are significantly obliged

Stresses the moral or social obligation created by the favor received.

We are exceptionally grateful

Highlights that the level of gratitude is above the normal or expected standard.

We are vastly appreciative

Uses a broad quantifier to describe the scale of the appreciation.

We are notably thankful

Suggests that the gratitude is worthy of specific mention or attention.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "We are deeply indebted"?

You can use alternatives like "we are profoundly grateful", "we owe a great debt", or "we are immensely thankful" depending on the context.

How to use "We are deeply indebted" in a sentence?

The phrase is typically followed by the preposition 'to' and the name of the entity. For example: "we are deeply indebted to the donors who made this research possible."

Is "We are deeply indebted" considered formal?

Yes, it is a highly formal expression. It is most commonly found in academic journals, high-level journalism, and official institutional communications.

What is the difference between "We are deeply indebted" and "We are very grateful"?

While both express thanks, "we are deeply indebted" suggests a higher level of obligation and weight, implying that the support was crucial or transformative, whereas "we are very grateful" is a standard, polite way to say thank you.