a large amount of debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a large amount of debt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing financial obligations or liabilities that are significant in size. Example: "After years of overspending, she found herself facing a large amount of debt that she struggled to manage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

You amassed a large amount of debt.

The Guardian - Books

They have written off a large amount of debt".

The Guardian - Business

McCaw took on a large amount of debt to finance the Lin deal.

The New York Times

The deal enabled him to pay down a large amount of debt.

The New York Times

A large amount of debt is one thing, but a bunch of sticky and potentially expensive lawsuits is another.

The New York Times

After Clearwire Corp. received a going concern opinion in 2010, it sold a large amount of debt, and Craig McCaw resigned as chairman.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Argentina's overnight lending rate fell to 4.75-5.75% on reports that the IMF wanted to swap a larger amount of debt than had originally been expected.

The Economist

Just as a $1 million mortgage would be ruinous for a poor family but easily manageable for a wealthy one, the United States can handle a larger amount of debt the greater our national income.

The Washington Post

If you're seeking a larger amount of debt, or a subordinated facility (as in a senior bank line combined with a junior venture debt tranche), you can expect all-in cost of the junior debt to be low double-digit with higher warrant coverage.

TechCrunch

All of this debt was cut into a large amount of securitized debt -- collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs), collateralized debt obligations and the like.

Huffington Post

"When you go into an economic slowdown and there is a large amount of government debt outstanding and a small amount of corporate debt outstanding, that's not a problem," Mr. Kaufman explained.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about debt, be specific about the type of debt (e.g., student loans, corporate debt, national debt) to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all debt is inherently negative. Debt can be a tool for investment and growth, provided it's managed responsibly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a large amount of debt" functions primarily as a noun phrase acting as an object or complement within a sentence. It quantifies the extent of financial obligations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a large amount of debt" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe significant financial liabilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, especially news, academia, and business. While the phrase itself is straightforward, the specific type and context of the debt are crucial for conveying accurate information. Related phrases like "substantial debt burden" or "significant financial liabilities" can offer subtle differences in emphasis or formality. Understanding the potential impact of debt, whether positive or negative, is essential for responsible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial debt burden

Replaces "amount" with "burden", emphasizing the negative impact of the debt.

considerable debt load

Substitutes "amount" with "load", suggesting a heavy weight of debt.

significant financial liabilities

Replaces "debt" with "financial liabilities", offering a more formal and comprehensive term.

heavy indebtedness

Uses the noun "indebtedness" with the adjective "heavy", focusing on the state of being in debt.

extensive debt obligations

Replaces "amount" with "obligations", highlighting the mandatory aspect of debt repayment.

massive debt

Replaces “large” with “massive” for emphasis.

huge debt

Replaces “large” with “huge” for emphasis.

serious debt

Emphasizes the severity of the debt situation.

significant arrears

More specific and formal; implies accumulated unpaid debts.

onerous financial commitments

Describes the debt as creating oppressive or burdensome commitments.

FAQs

How can I use "a large amount of debt" in a sentence?

You can use "a large amount of debt" to describe situations where individuals, companies, or countries have substantial financial obligations. For example: "The company struggled to stay afloat due to "a large amount of debt" it had accumulated."

What are some alternatives to saying "a large amount of debt"?

Alternatives include "substantial debt burden", "considerable debt load", or "significant financial liabilities", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always negative to have "a large amount of debt"?

Not necessarily. While "a large amount of debt" can indicate financial strain, it can also represent strategic borrowing for investments or expansion. The impact depends on the debtor's ability to manage and repay the debt.

What's the difference between "a large amount of debt" and "significant arrears"?

"A large amount of debt" refers to the overall size of the debt, whereas "significant arrears" specifically indicates accumulated unpaid debts. You can have "a large amount of debt" that is current on payments, or a smaller debt with significant arrears.