be in debt to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be in debt to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean owing money to someone for something they have done for you. Example sentence: I am in debt to my aunt for providing me with the money to buy a car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I will always be in debt to the Giants".

The New York Times - Sports

I will always be in debt to my family and friends for their fantastic support.

The Guardian

There are always going to be some who are reluctant to be in debt to their family and friends.

The New York Times

We will always be in debt to Theodore C. Sorensen, who proved many times over that the pen was indeed mightier than the sword.

The New York Times

"This gives us the peace of mind that we are not going to still be in debt to Universidad del Mar".

The Guardian

With this move it will no longer be in debt to the "Eurosystem" of central banks, another pre-condition of getting a bigger bailout.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

He says that the US is "in debt to the people of Boston and the people of Massachusetts".

The Guardian

They don't want to admit to being in debt.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Japanese owe the money to themselves whereas the Americans are in debt to foreigners.

The Economist

Our most delightful companion these days is a woman who is in debt to Macy's.

The New Yorker

Chris is in debt to a local druglord and needs money fast.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be in debt to", ensure that the context clearly indicates whether the debt is financial or a debt of gratitude. Use specific language to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "be in debt to" when referring to simple transactions or purchases. This phrase typically implies a significant obligation, either financial or moral.

Linguistic Context

"Be in debt to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a state of owing, either financially or in terms of gratitude or obligation. Ludwig examples illustrate its use across diverse contexts, from owing money to expressing gratitude.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be in debt to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to express either financial obligation or a sense of gratitude and duty. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, noting its presence across various contexts from news and media to science and business. When using this phrase, be mindful of the context to avoid ambiguity, and consider alternatives like "owe a debt of gratitude to" or "be indebted to" for more formal expressions. The key is to ensure clarity in conveying the nature of the obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in someone's debt

A more general and less formal way of expressing indebtedness.

be indebted to

A more formal and direct synonym expressing obligation.

owe a debt of gratitude to

Uses a more formal tone with "gratitude" emphasizing thankfulness.

be under an obligation to

Focuses on the sense of duty or requirement.

be obliged to

Similar to 'under an obligation', indicating a formal duty.

be beholden to

Highlights reliance or dependence on someone.

stand in debt to

A slightly archaic, yet similar, phrase to the query.

be grateful to

Emphasizes appreciation for assistance received.

feel obligated to

Highlights the feeling of duty or responsibility.

owe a favor to

Implies a reciprocal expectation of assistance.

FAQs

How to use "be in debt to" in a sentence?

You can use "be in debt to" to express gratitude or obligation. For example, "I am in debt to my parents for their unwavering support", or "The company is in debt to the bank for the loan".

What can I say instead of "be in debt to"?

You can use alternatives like "owe a debt of gratitude to", "be indebted to", or "be under an obligation to" depending on the context.

Is it more common to "be in debt to" someone or "be indebted to" someone?

"Be indebted to" is a more formal and direct way to express obligation. "Be in debt to" is also correct and commonly used, but can also imply financial debt.

What's the difference between "be in debt to" and "owe"?

"Owe" directly states the act of owing something, often money. "Be in debt to" can imply a broader sense of obligation or gratitude, not necessarily financial.