amount owed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "amount owed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in financial contexts to indicate the total sum of money that is due to be paid. Example: "Please ensure that the amount owed is settled by the end of the month to avoid any late fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The median amount owed was $686.

The New York Times

Interest of 8% will be added to the amount owed.

The Guardian - Money

The amount owed to unsecured creditors is $210 million.

The New York Times

He or she will calculate the amount owed to HMRC.

The Guardian - Money

The average amount owed by those in arrears was £664.

The Guardian - Money

The median amount owed but unclaimed is almost $850.

The Washington Post

Check with the mortgage company if you are unsure about the amount owed.

University of California, Berkeley

A successful plaintiff received the amount owed, plus damages for wrongful detention.

Harvard University

The amount owed would widen only if auditors challenged any of the remaining bills.

The New York Times

If the asset goes down, so will the amount owed on the liability.

The New York Times

Judge McNulty ordered further discovery on the amount owed Mr. Aleynikov related to the federal case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, be precise and specify the "amount owed" to avoid ambiguity. Always provide context, such as the due date or purpose of the payment.

Common error

Avoid using "amount owed" interchangeably with "amount paid". "Amount owed" refers to the outstanding balance, while "amount paid" signifies the portion that has already been settled. Always clarify whether you are referring to the debt before or after a payment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "amount owed" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it identifies the quantity of money that is still due for payment. This is evident in examples such as, "The median amount owed was $686."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

20%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "amount owed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the total sum of money due. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for diverse contexts, including news reports, academic papers, and financial documents. While alternatives like ""balance due"" and ""outstanding debt"" exist, "amount owed" offers a clear and direct way to express a financial obligation. Therefore, when clarity and accuracy are paramount, especially in financial discussions, specifying the "amount owed" is a best practice to follow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

balance due

Emphasizes the outstanding balance that needs to be paid.

outstanding balance

Similar to "balance due", emphasizing the portion that remains unpaid.

outstanding debt

Highlights the debt aspect, focusing on the unpaid sum.

debt outstanding

Another way of saying "outstanding debt".

sum payable

Focuses on the aspect of payment that is required.

total indebtedness

A more formal way to refer to the total amount of debt.

total obligation

Emphasizes the obligatory nature of the payment.

liabilities

A broader term referring to financial obligations, including the amount owed.

deficit

Highlights the shortfall or deficiency in funds.

accounts payable

Specifically refers to short-term debts owed to suppliers or creditors.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "amount owed" in a sentence?

Use "amount owed" to refer to the total sum of money that is due. For example, "The "amount owed" on your credit card is $500." You can also specify who the amount is owed to, as in, "The "amount owed" to the bank is significant."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "amount owed"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "balance due", "outstanding debt", or "total indebtedness" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the amount is owed"?

Yes, "the amount is owed" is grammatically correct, but it's often more concise and direct to use "amount owed" as a noun phrase. For example, instead of saying "The amount is owed to the lender", you can say "The "amount owed" to the lender is..."

What's the difference between "amount owed" and "principal balance"?

"Amount owed" generally refers to the total sum due, which may include the principal balance, interest, and fees. "Principal balance" specifically refers to the original loan amount, excluding any additional charges.