are indebted to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are indebted to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Generally, it is used to express gratitude or to recognize someone for their help or support. For example, "We are indebted to our teachers and mentors for all they have done to help us achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are indebted to S. Barthelmy and the GCN.

Nature

Many of them are indebted to financial institutions.

Harvard University

Vetements and Balenciaga are indebted to his aesthetic.

The New York Times

We are indebted to both of them for their work.

The Guardian - Sport

We are indebted to her for her selfless efforts.

The Guardian

Cancer patients everywhere are indebted to this farsighted, energetic man.

The New York Times

We are indebted to her legacy and support.

The New York Times

"We are indebted to Kickstarter for inspiration," Chronis said.

TechCrunch

We are indebted to both colleagues for their generosity.

Heritage Science

The authors are indebted to GSI colleagues for the operation of the REGARD system.

Earth, Planets and Space

We are indebted to all the authors who submitted their papers to this special issue.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are indebted to", be specific about what you are grateful for. Detailing the contribution or support helps to personalize the acknowledgment and show genuine appreciation.

Common error

While "are indebted to" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler expressions like "thank you" or "grateful" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are indebted to" functions as a means of expressing gratitude or acknowledging obligation towards someone or something. Ludwig AI shows it commonly appears in formal writing to recognize significant contributions or support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

21%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are indebted to" is a grammatically correct expression widely used to convey gratitude or acknowledge obligations, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in formal contexts such as scientific publications, news articles, and academic papers. While versatile, the phrase is most appropriate for formal and professional settings. When you need a simpler thank you, it is better to prefer less formal options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are grateful to

A simpler, more direct way of expressing thanks.

are in someone's debt

Directly states the condition of owing something to someone.

owe a debt of gratitude to

Expresses a formal sense of owing gratitude.

are beholden to

Suggests a feeling of being in someone's debt, often implying dependence.

express appreciation to

A formal way to show thankfulness for assistance or contributions.

are obligated to

Highlights a sense of duty or requirement.

acknowledge the support of

Officially recognize and express gratitude for support received.

give credit to

Acknowledges someone's contribution or effort.

recognize the contributions of

Formally acknowledges assistance or effort.

attribute success to

Highlights that success is due to somebody.

FAQs

How can I use "are indebted to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are indebted to" is used to express gratitude or obligation. For example, "We are indebted to the research team for their invaluable contributions to the study."

What can I say instead of "are indebted to"?

You can use alternatives like "are grateful to", "owe a debt of gratitude to", or "are obligated to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are indebted to" or "is indebted to"?

"Are indebted to" is used when referring to a plural subject (e.g., "We are indebted to our sponsors"), while "is indebted to" is used for a singular subject (e.g., "The company is indebted to its founder").

What's the difference between "are indebted to" and "are thankful for"?

"Are indebted to" often implies a formal obligation or a significant contribution, whereas "are thankful for" is a more general expression of gratitude. "We are indebted to the foundation for their generous grant" suggests a deeper level of obligation than simply being thankful.