cleared the debt

USAGE SUMMARY

"cleared the debt" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means that a person or organization has successfully paid off the money they owed to someone else. Example: After years of struggling, Mary finally cleared the debt on her credit card by working extra shifts and cutting back on expenses. In this sentence, "cleared the debt" implies that Mary has successfully paid off all the money she owed on her credit card. It conveys a sense of relief and accomplishment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This will tell lenders that you have cleared the debt.

The Guardian - Money

What you can do, though, is to ask the court for a Certificate of Satisfaction once you have cleared the debt.

The Guardian - Money

And he cleared the debt at Independent News & Media (INM) by selling off its stake in the Australian media company APN.

The Guardian

He fell into bankruptcy in 2001 when he was unable to pay a damage award and was barred from politics until he cleared the debt early this year.

The New York Times

With one £27m payment he cleared the debt and ensured Hull avoided a 10-point penalty that may have made relegation to League One a strong probability.

BBC

Leeds' owners GFH capital had said they would challenge the winding-up order but have now cleared the debt in full.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

When you have cleared the debts you can write to the two credit reference agencies, Experian and Equifax, to let them know that you have finished paying up and that your debts are paid off.

The Guardian - Money

But having got through it and paid off those losses and cleared the debts we are in much calmer, cleaner scene going forward and we are moving in the right way.

BBC

He cleared the debts, loaned the club £2.3 million, and promised the fans he would take the club to the Premier League within five years.

Wikipedia

Though not rich, at the time of her death she had cleared the debts left to her by her husband and was financially secure.

Wikipedia

Ground improvements begun before the First World War left the club in financial difficulty during it; the chairman of Darlington Forge Albion financed the completion of the East Stand and cleared the debts, allowing them to continue to compete.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about financial matters, using "cleared the debt" can effectively communicate that an obligation has been fully satisfied. This is useful in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "cleared the debt" is a valid phrase, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "paid it off" might be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared the debt" functions as a declarative statement indicating the action of fully paying off a debt. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cleared the debt" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the complete repayment of a financial obligation. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is more common in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for formal and informal communication. While there are several synonyms like "paid off the debt" and "settled the debt", the best choice depends on the specific nuance and context. Remember to consider your audience and choose language that clearly conveys the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paid off the debt

Replaces "cleared" with "paid off", emphasizing the action of payment.

satisfied the debt

Replaces "cleared" with "satisfied", indicating that the debt has been paid in full and the creditor is content.

settled the debt

Uses "settled" instead of "cleared", suggesting a formal resolution of the debt.

discharged the debt

Replaces "cleared" with "discharged", implying a legal release from the debt.

extinguished the debt

Uses "extinguished" to convey a complete and final termination of the debt obligation.

liquidated the debt

Employs "liquidated" instead of "cleared", often used when assets are sold to pay off the debt.

resolved the debt

Uses "resolved" instead of "cleared", indicating that the debt problem was finalized or solved.

defrayed the debt

Employs "defrayed" instead of "cleared", used when finding a way to pay the costs or expenses.

honored the debt

Replaces "cleared" with "honored", signifying the fulfilling of a financial obligation or commitment.

fulfilled the debt

Uses "fulfilled" instead of "cleared", emphasizing the completion of the obligation to repay the debt.

FAQs

How can I use "cleared the debt" in a sentence?

You can use "cleared the debt" to indicate that someone has completely paid off an outstanding obligation. For example: "After years of hard work, she finally "cleared the debt" and became financially independent".

What is a synonym for "cleared the debt"?

Synonyms for "cleared the debt" include "paid off the debt", "settled the debt", or "discharged the debt". Each conveys a similar meaning of fulfilling a financial obligation.

Is it better to say "cleared the debt" or "paid off the debt"?

Both "cleared the debt" and "paid off the debt" are correct and widely understood. The choice depends on the context and desired tone. "Cleared the debt" might sound slightly more formal than "paid off the debt".

What are some less formal alternatives to "cleared the debt"?

Less formal alternatives to "cleared the debt" include phrases like "paid it off", "got rid of the debt", or "dealt with the debt". These are suitable for everyday conversation.