feel indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'feel indebted' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe feeling grateful or having a strong sense of obligation to someone. Example: After receiving the generous donation, the charity organization felt indebted to the donor.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

And it's not that I feel indebted to it.

The New York Times

NAME WITHHELD Not wanting to feel indebted — or in fact to be indebted — is understandable.

The New York Times - Magazine

They don't feel indebted to UMNO, and being young, they're not afraid to experiment".

The New York Times

Do you feel indebted to them, and to anyone in particular?

The New York Times

By assisting one of Mr. Sharpton's allies, the reasoning goes, Mr. Sharpton would feel indebted.

The New York Times

I feel it should be separate so the abused doesn't feel indebted".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Rather than feeling slighted by this, it seems we all felt indebted to the sacrifices our parents made to ensure our future was brighter than their own.

Huffington Post

While the Afghan Taliban may have felt indebted to Pakistan's intelligence service, the Pakistani Taliban had no such feelings.

Huffington Post

"I felt indebted to him.

The Guardian

The abused feels indebted to the abuser.

The New York Times

I was needy and felt indebted to them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "feel indebted", ensure the context clearly identifies the person or entity to whom the debt is owed. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "feel indebted" when the situation implies a loss of autonomy or excessive reliance. "Feeling indebted" should convey gratitude, not a sense of being trapped or controlled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feel indebted" functions as a verb phrase expressing a state of emotional obligation or gratitude towards someone or something. It describes a feeling of owing something in return for a benefit received. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "feel indebted" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a sense of gratitude or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about who or what the debt is owed to. Alternatives like "be beholden to" or "owe a debt of gratitude" can be used for slightly different nuances. Avoid using "feel indebted" when the context implies a loss of autonomy. Overall, "feel indebted" is a versatile and appropriate phrase for expressing gratitude and recognizing obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be grateful to

Expresses thankfulness and appreciation.

be appreciative of

Highlights the positive feelings of gratitude.

be beholden to

Emphasizes a sense of obligation and dependence.

be in someone's debt

Indicates a state of owing something to someone.

owe a debt of gratitude

Highlights the feeling of owing something positive in return.

recognize one's debt to

Stresses the acknowledgement of owing something.

be under obligation to

Focuses on the duty and responsibility felt.

be duty-bound to

Implies a moral or ethical obligation.

be obliged to

Suggests a formal or legal sense of obligation.

hold oneself accountable to

Focuses on the personal responsibility and commitment felt.

FAQs

How can I use "feel indebted" in a sentence?

You can use "feel indebted" to express gratitude or obligation. For example, "I "feel indebted" to my mentors for their guidance" or "The community "feels indebted" to the firefighters for their bravery".

What's a formal alternative to "feel indebted"?

A more formal alternative would be "owe a debt of gratitude". This phrase is suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "feel indebted to" or "feel indebted for"?

It is generally more common and grammatically sound to say "feel indebted to" someone or something. "Feel indebted for" is less frequently used.

Which is correct, "I feel indebted" or "I am indebted"?

Both "I feel indebted" and "I am indebted" are correct and convey a similar meaning. "I feel indebted" emphasizes the emotional aspect, while "I am indebted" states a condition of being in debt or obligation.