borrow money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'borrow money' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: I needed to borrow money from my parents to buy a new laptop.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Governments do borrow money.

Yale University

They asked only to borrow money.

The New Yorker

"I can't even borrow money".

The New York Times

Rams could not borrow money.

The New York Times

Marty wants to borrow money.

The New Yorker

He, too, asks to borrow money.

The New York Times

"And insane people don't borrow money easily".

The New Yorker

So, you might say, why does Yale borrow money?

Yale University

It was getting more expensive to borrow money.

The New Yorker

Corporations have rarely been able to borrow money more cheaply.

The New York Times

But banks don't borrow money in the swaps market.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial matters, be specific about the terms of borrowing, such as interest rates and repayment schedules, to provide clarity.

Common error

Ensure you use "borrow" when you are the recipient of the money and "lend" when you are the provider. For example, "I need to "borrow money" from the bank," not "I need to lend money from the bank."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borrow money" functions as a verb phrase, where "borrow" is the main verb and "money" is the direct object. It describes the action of receiving funds with the intention of returning them, as exemplified in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "borrow money" is a very common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of receiving funds with the intention of repaying them. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from reliable sources such as The New York Times and Yale University. While the phrase is versatile, it's essential to use it accurately, distinguishing it from "lend money". Alternatives like "obtain a loan" or "secure financing" can add nuance, but "borrow money" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to express this financial concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

request a loan

Emphasizes the act of asking for money with the intent to repay.

take out a loan

Highlights the action of initiating a loan agreement.

obtain a loan

Focuses on the formal process of acquiring funds from a financial institution.

acquire funds

A more general term for gaining access to money.

secure financing

Implies a broader approach to obtaining financial resources, not necessarily a loan.

get a line of credit

Suggests establishing an ongoing borrowing arrangement.

get credit

Emphasizes the availability of funds based on trust in repayment.

access credit facilities

Focuses on utilizing available lines of credit.

raise capital

Suggests a larger-scale effort to gather funds, often for business purposes.

incur debt

Highlights the creation of an obligation to repay.

FAQs

How can I use "borrow money" in a sentence?

You can use "borrow money" in various contexts, such as "I had to "borrow money" from my parents to pay my tuition" or "The company decided to "borrow money" to expand its operations".

What are some alternatives to saying "borrow money"?

Instead of "borrow money", you could say "obtain a loan", "secure financing", or "take out a loan", depending on the context.

What is the difference between "borrow money" and "lend money"?

"Borrow money" means to receive money from someone with the intention of returning it. "Lend money" means to give money to someone with the expectation of being repaid. They are opposite actions.

Is it better to "borrow money" from a bank or from family?

The best option depends on your situation. Banks typically offer structured repayment plans but require credit checks. Borrowing from family can be more flexible but may strain relationships if not handled carefully. Consider the terms and potential consequences of each option.