accumulated debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "accumulated debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing financial obligations that have built up over time, often due to borrowing or unpaid bills. Example: "After years of overspending, she found herself struggling under the weight of accumulated debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1968 her estate was sold to satisfy accumulated debt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Its accumulated debt, around 88% of GDP, is lower than Italy or Japan.

The Guardian - Business

Highfield's gritty role, year after year, has been grinding down the mountain of Johnston's accumulated debt.

The Guardian

Americans aren't borrowing the way they used to, but the accumulated debt is still there.

The New York Times

As a nation, we've accumulated debt to maintain lavish spending styles.

The New York Times

Today's announcement is aimed at solving the more complex problem of the utilities' accumulated debt.

The New York Times

The refinancing is expected to shave $500 million from its accumulated debt.

The New York Times

Also in 2000 Chalayan voluntarily liquidated Cartestia Ltd., fraught with accumulated debt.

Britannica

The Anglo-Australian mining giant has accumulated debt of some $40 billion.

The Economist

Interest payments on the accumulated debt were £3.9bn in October, against £3.3bn a year ago.

Independent

Farm producers ended the decade with $6 billion in accumulated debt, according to the Argentine Rural Society, a landowners group.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "accumulated debt", provide specific context regarding the entity (individual, company, nation) and the factors contributing to the debt's accumulation.

Common error

Avoid using "accumulated debt" interchangeably with 'deficit'. A deficit is a shortfall in revenue for a specific period, while "accumulated debt" is the total sum of past deficits and other financial obligations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "accumulated debt" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the total amount of debt that has increased over time, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "accumulated debt" is a commonly used noun phrase that describes the total amount of debt that has built up over time. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, especially in news, business, and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "accrued liabilities" or "outstanding debt" exist, "accumulated debt" effectively conveys the increasing nature of financial obligations. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context about the entity and factors contributing to the debt. Avoid confusing it with 'deficit', which represents a shortfall in revenue for a specific period, distinct from the total "accumulated debt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accrued liabilities

Focuses specifically on financial obligations that have built up, often in an accounting context.

outstanding debt

Highlights the portion of debt that remains unpaid or unsettled.

total indebtedness

Emphasizes the overall sum of debts owed by an entity.

debt burden

Shifts focus to the oppressive weight or impact of the debt.

mounting debt

Conveys the idea of debt increasing steadily over time.

escalating debt

Implies a rapid or accelerating increase in debt.

unpaid obligations

Highlights the unfulfilled responsibilities to creditors.

financial liabilities

A broader term encompassing various financial obligations, not exclusively debt.

debt overhang

Describes a situation where debt is so large it hinders economic growth.

carry-over debt

Suggests debt that has been rolled over from a previous period.

FAQs

How can I use "accumulated debt" in a sentence?

You can use "accumulated debt" to describe the total amount of debt that has built up over time. For example, "The company's "accumulated debt" threatened its solvency."

What are some synonyms for "accumulated debt"?

Alternatives to "accumulated debt" include "accrued liabilities", "outstanding debt", or "total indebtedness", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "accumulated debt" and "national debt"?

"Accumulated debt" can refer to any entity, while "national debt" specifically refers to the total debt of a country's government.

Is it better to say "accumulated debt" or "accrued debt"?

Both "accumulated debt" and "accrued debt" are acceptable. "Accumulated debt" emphasizes the process of building up debt over time, while "accrued debt" often refers to debt that has formally come into existence but not yet been paid.