heavy debt load

USAGE SUMMARY

"heavy debt load" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a situation in which a person or organization is burdened with a large amount of debt. For example, "John was struggling to keep up with all his payments due to the heavy debt load he had accrued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Adding to its woes was a heavy debt load.

The New York Times

There's very little way to increase income, and most people have a very heavy debt load.

The New York Times

Cordiant has struggled under a heavy debt load and shrinking business.

The New York Times

Dewey collapsed after disappointing profits and a heavy debt load forced it to slash partners' salaries.

The New York Times

It is essentially paying a single year's bill by adding to its already heavy debt load.

The New York Times

Kingfisher has never made a profit and has a heavy debt load.

The New York Times

What makes Tribune's problems more serious is the heavy debt load it carries as a result of last year's buyout.

The New York Times

The company has struggled under a heavy debt load and its declining share of Hong Kong's long-distance market.

The New York Times

The acquisition left Conseco with a heavy debt load and made it difficult for the company to borrow money.

The New York Times

Deutsche Telekom, which has considerable political influence, badly wants to complete the sale and reduce a heavy debt load.

The New York Times

The cosmetics producer has struggled with millions of dollars in losses, a heavy debt load and a sales decline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heavy debt load", consider quantifying the debt with specific figures to emphasize its magnitude and impact. For example: "The company struggled with a heavy debt load of $500 million."

Common error

While "heavy debt load" is widely understood, it might sound overly formal in casual conversation. In less formal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "a lot of debt" or "big debts".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy debt load" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the state of being burdened by a significant amount of debt. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. For example, "The company attributed its weak forecast to competition from one-hour film developers and a heavy debt load."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heavy debt load" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a situation where an entity is burdened by a significant amount of debt. As Ludwig highlights, it is often found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, serving to inform about financial difficulties or challenges. Alternatives include "large debt burden" and "significant debt obligation", which can be used depending on the desired level of formality. It's important to quantify the debt when possible and avoid using the phrase in overly informal settings. While versatile, "heavy debt load" effectively communicates the weight and potential consequences of substantial debt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

large debt burden

Emphasizes the onerous nature of the debt.

significant debt obligation

Highlights the legal and financial commitment involved.

substantial indebtedness

A more formal way of describing a considerable amount of debt.

crushing debt

Focuses on the overwhelming impact of the debt.

onerous debt

Highlights the burdensome nature of the debt.

excessive debt

Implies the debt is beyond a manageable level.

unmanageable debt

Suggests the debt is difficult or impossible to repay.

crippling debt

Emphasizes the severe limitations imposed by the debt.

massive debt

Focuses on the sheer size of the debt.

formidable debt

Implies that the debt presents a significant challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "heavy debt load" in a sentence?

You can use "heavy debt load" to describe a situation where an entity has a significant amount of debt, such as "The company's bankruptcy was attributed to its "heavy debt load"" or "The country is struggling to recover from its "heavy debt load"".

What are some alternatives to saying "heavy debt load"?

Some alternatives to "heavy debt load" include "large debt burden", "significant debt obligation", and "substantial indebtedness". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "heavy debt load" a formal or informal expression?

"Heavy debt load" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal expression, commonly used in business, finance, and news reporting. More informal alternatives exist, but this phrase is widely understood and accepted.

What are the consequences of a "heavy debt load" for a company?

A "heavy debt load" can lead to several negative consequences for a company, including difficulty in securing further financing, reduced profitability due to interest payments, increased risk of bankruptcy, and limited ability to invest in growth opportunities.