all it owed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all it owed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of obligation or debt that something or someone has, often in a figurative sense. Example: "In the end, all it owed to the community was a promise to do better."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"An Enlightened Life" follows the evolution of Smith's thinking closely and all it owed to the other intellectuals in his orbit, especially David Hume.

The New York Times

This led to the Senators filing for bankruptcy on January 9, 2003, when it could not arrange financing to pay all it owed to Covanta, becoming due because of Covanta's bankruptcy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Party transformed my mind, and that's all it owes to me".

The New Yorker

And it has promised to give Texas all it owes since 1992.But when will it do so?

The Economist

Upon further review: The Budweiser ad might as well be called Beer Horse, for all it owes to the Steven Spielberg movie, but never underestimate the power of pure shmaltz.

The Guardian - Sport

In a country with what often seems like the most refined taste in the world and no taste at all, it owes something to a cheesy full-scale reconstruction of the "Nighthawks" diner in the first gallery.

The New York Times - Arts

At a hearing in late May on Capitol Hill, Apple's chief executive, Timothy D. Cook, insisted that the company had fully complied with tax laws and had paid all it legally owed, both here and abroad.

The New York Times

I wanted people to see who I am and where I came from and why I am the way I am, because if I'm any dang good at all, I owe it to my parents.

Huffington Post

And like all great performances it owed as much to delivery as content.

The Guardian

But no serious banker any longer believes Greece can pay all that it owes on time.

The New York Times

In other words, the country might have been stuck in a protracted slump if it had kept trying to pay back all the debt it owed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context. "All it owed" works best when the owed element is clear from the surrounding text. If there is ambiguity, consider specifying what is owed.

Common error

Avoid using "all it owed" when the full extent of the obligation is unclear or unquantifiable. Be precise about what is being referenced to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all it owed" functions as a determiner phrase quantifying the extent of an obligation or debt. As supported by Ludwig AI, it modifies a noun (implicit or explicit) representing what is due or obligated.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "all it owed" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon expression used to denote the complete extent of an obligation or debt. As noted by Ludwig, it accurately expresses the full measure of something due. Predominantly found in news and wiki sources, it carries a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. Alternatives like "everything it was obligated to provide" or "all that was due from it" can be used for clarity or emphasis. When using "all it owed", ensure the context clearly defines what is being referenced to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

everything it was obligated to provide

Replaces the more concise "all it owed" with a more explicit description of obligation.

its complete obligation

Similar to 'everything it was obligated to provide' but more concise.

all that was due from it

Focuses on the concept of something being rightfully claimed or expected from a source.

all that it was bound to give

Emphasizes the compulsory nature of the obligation or contribution.

its total liabilities

Emphasizes the financial responsibilities or debts of an entity.

the sum of its debts

Directly refers to the total amount of money or resources owed.

the extent of its indebtedness

Highlights the degree to which someone or something is in debt.

the full measure of its responsibility

Shifts the focus to the moral or ethical duties that must be fulfilled.

its entire commitment

Highlights the dedication or promise made towards fulfilling a specific task or goal.

everything it had to give back

Focuses on the act of returning something that was received, whether tangible or intangible.

FAQs

How can I use "all it owed" in a sentence?

You can use "all it owed" to refer to the total debt or obligation. For instance, "The company paid "all it owed" to its creditors to avoid bankruptcy."

What are some alternatives to "all it owed"?

Some alternatives to "all it owed" include "everything it was obligated to provide", "all that was due from it", or "its total liabilities", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "all that it owed" instead of "all it owed"?

While "all that it owed" isn't incorrect, "all it owed" is more concise and commonly used. The meaning remains essentially the same, but the shorter version is often preferred for its efficiency.

In what situations is "all it owed" most appropriate?

"All it owed" is best used in situations where you're discussing debts, obligations, or contributions that are quantifiable or clearly defined. It's useful when you want to emphasize the totality of what's due or required.