heavily indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

"heavily indebted" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is a way of saying that someone is in a lot of debt, carrying a large amount of financial liabilities. Example: The company was heavily indebted after they took out a large loan to expand their operations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some are heavily indebted, too.

The Economist

Ireland is heavily indebted to Germany and Britain.

The New York Times

Israelite royal ideology was heavily indebted to Canaanite royal ideology.

Yale University

Within three years the heavily indebted firm was bust.

The Economist

Many Brazilian firms are heavily indebted in dollars.

The Economist

In particular, the country's municipal governments are heavily indebted.

The New York Times

Heavily indebted governments tend to be bad governments, sceptics argue.

The Economist

Although some homebuilders are heavily indebted, households are not.

The Economist

Heavily indebted students face two kinds of risks.

The New York Times

So too Italy, which is heavily indebted to boot.

The Economist

And the heavily indebted need time to repair their finances.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavily indebted", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is in debt (e.g., country, company, individual). Be specific about the entity carrying the debt.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about why someone is "heavily indebted". Always provide context or explanation for the debt, like poor financial planning, unexpected economic downturns, or excessive spending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavily indebted" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a significant level of debt. As Ludwig AI states, it describes a state of carrying a large amount of financial liabilities. Examples in Ludwig show its application to countries, companies, and individuals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

12%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavily indebted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective phrase that describes a state of owing a substantial amount of money. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage for indicating significant financial liabilities. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most often in News & Media and academic sources. To improve writing, ensure the subject is clearly specified, and provide context for the cause of indebtedness. Alternatives like "deeply in debt" or "saddled with debt" can be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deeply in debt

Emphasizes the extent of the debt using a different adjective.

Burdened by debt

Similar to "saddled with debt", but less metaphorical.

Saddled with debt

Uses a metaphor to describe the burden of debt.

Under a mountain of debt

Uses a strong metaphor to express the overwhelming nature of the debt.

Carrying a large debt load

Focuses on the amount of debt being held.

Financially overleveraged

Emphasizes the financial risk associated with high debt.

Struggling with debt

Focuses on the difficulties caused by the debt.

Bogged down by massive debts

Implies the debt is impeding progress or movement.

Facing significant debt obligations

A more formal way of expressing the situation.

In dire financial straits due to debt

Highlights the severity of the financial situation caused by debt.

FAQs

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

You can use "heavily indebted" to describe countries, companies, or individuals with significant debt, for example: "The "heavily indebted country" struggled to meet its financial obligations".

What are some alternatives to saying "heavily indebted"?

Alternatives include "deeply in debt", "saddled with debt", or "burdened by debt". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey. See the alternatives in the "related phrases" section.

Is it more appropriate to say "heavily indebted" or "highly leveraged"?

"Heavily indebted" and "highly leveraged" are similar, but "highly leveraged" implies a strategic use of debt, while "heavily indebted" often suggests a more problematic or unsustainable level of debt. Both phrases are useful and can be semantically interchangeable in certain contexts.

What are the risks associated with being "heavily indebted"?

Being "heavily indebted" can lead to financial instability, difficulty in meeting financial obligations, and increased vulnerability to economic downturns. It can also limit future investment opportunities.