has been owed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been owed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that someone must pay or give to another person as a result of a debt or an obligation. For example, "My sister has been owed $500 from her client for six months, but he still hasn't paid her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The company, which has debts of €1.3bn, has been locked in talks with its banks and bondholders for several months, trying to put together a finance package to cover €200m of debt which has been owed since May.

The Guardian

Under Mr. Pataki's budget, the state would sell bonds to furnish $204 million to the city in reimbursements for school aid that the city has complained it has been owed for years.

The New York Times

But along with the home-field factor, British commentators have acknowledged that much of the British success has been owed to what many here have seen as a very un-British decision in recent years to subsidize its Olympic competitors, putting them on the payroll in return for winning medals at the Games.

The New York Times - Sports

Cindy White, whose 11-year-old company manufactures knitted ribbon jackets that are sold in 40 high-end boutiques nationwide for $800 to $1,000, has been owed $5,000 for six months from several clients, forcing her to lay off employees.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent".

Huffington Post

Isaac Newton wrote, "If I have ever made any valuable discoveries, it has been owing more to patient attention, than to any other talent".

Huffington Post

The company had largely failed to persuade publishers to convert payments they had been owed since late last year into interest-bearing loans.

The New York Times

Of course, they might have been owed one more chance than they got, as the final play was shrouded in controversy.

The New York Times - Sports

Some of the disappointing results may have been owed to physician and patient fears of narcotic addiction or concerns over side effects.

The New York Times

Mr. Minder eventually received the money he had been owed by the airline and then stepped up his campaign against what he considers excessive executive compensation.

The New York Times

If Philadelphia had not exercised the option, Wagner would have been owed a $3 million buyout and would have been eligible to file for free agency.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been owed", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify who or what has been owed the debt.

Common error

Avoid using "has been owed" when the action is ongoing or future. "Is owed" or "will be owed" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been owed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that someone or something is the recipient of an action (being owed). Ludwig AI confirms its correctness through the available examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been owed" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to indicate that someone or something is in a state of being owed a debt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, showing it appearing in news and media contexts. While not overly frequent, its usage is straightforward; ensuring proper tense agreement and clarity of the subject are key. Related phrases, such as "is due" or "is payable", can offer slight variations in emphasis. "Has been owed" serves to highlight an existing obligation, effectively communicating the state of indebtedness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is due

Focuses on the obligation to pay at a specific time.

is payable

Highlights the capacity or readiness for payment.

is outstanding

Emphasizes that a debt remains unpaid.

is receivable

Highlights the right to receive payment.

is in arrears

Indicates a past-due payment status.

is unclaimed

Highlights that the money isn't claimed yet by the creditor.

is entitled to

Focuses on the right to receive something, not necessarily money.

is warranted

Implies a justification for being owed something.

is merited

Suggests something is deserved.

is reaping the benefit of

Focuses on receiving the advantages or profits, usually after a long time or effort.

FAQs

How do I use "has been owed" in a sentence?

Use "has been owed" to describe a debt or obligation that someone must pay to another person, like, "My client "has been owed" payment for months."

What's a simple way to rephrase "has been owed"?

You can use phrases like "is due" or "is payable" as alternatives to "has been owed", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is owed" instead of "has been owed"?

Yes, "is owed" can be correct, especially when describing a current state of indebtedness, while "has been owed" implies the debt has existed for some time. Choose the tense that best fits the time frame of the situation.

What is the difference between "has been owed" and "had been owed"?

"Has been owed" refers to a debt that began in the past and continues to the present, whereas "had been owed" refers to a debt that existed in the past but may or may not still exist.