immense debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "immense debt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large amount of money that is owed, often in financial contexts. Example: "After years of overspending, she found herself in immense debt, struggling to make ends meet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

But like him or loathe him, we owe him an immense debt.

The Guardian

"We owe them an immense debt of gratitude," the then prime minister told parliament.

The Guardian

That argument, and news that so many new lawyers are struggling with immense debt, is changing the way law school is perceived by undergrads.

The New York Times

And I'm not unmindful of the fact of my immense debt to you, a debt I can simply never, never repay.

The New Yorker

The Dutch agreed to hand over some of the lands but again delayed it because of the immense debt the king was held to owe them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Moody's said it lowered Japan's government credit rating for domestic debts one notch, to Aa3, because the country's immense debt is still growing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

The United States will be burdened with immense debts, the protesters say.

The New York Times

As Japan's government and private industry grapple with immense debts, fresh storm clouds blew in last week from an unlikely quarter: theme parks.

The New York Times

The deal, which is subject to approval by Indonesian authorities, will provide badly needed cash for KPN -- like most European phone companies struggling with immense debts.

The New York Times

It predicts that it would boost the economy in the short term but make America slightly poorer than it would otherwise have been by 2019, because the immense debts incurred would have to be honoured.

The Economist

As part of Ireland's effort to pay down its immense debts and bail out the banks, the Condras' salaries from their state jobs as hospital workers have been cut 20 percent in two years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "immense debt" to convey a significant financial burden, whether for individuals, companies, or countries.

Common error

Avoid using "immense debt" when referring to relatively small amounts; ensure the scale is truly substantial to justify the adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "immense debt" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "immense" modifies the noun "debt". It describes a state of owing a very large sum of money. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "immense debt" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a significant financial burden. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts to convey the scale of indebtedness. While synonyms like "huge debt" or "massive debt" exist, "immense" offers a slightly more formal and descriptive tone. When using this phrase, ensure that the debt is genuinely substantial to avoid overstatement. The prevalence of "immense debt" in reputable sources underscores its validity and utility in formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

huge debt

Emphasizes the size of the debt, similar to "immense", but slightly more informal.

massive debt

Highlights the scale of the debt, often implying it's overwhelming.

tremendous debt

Similar to "immense", but can also imply a sense of awe or fear.

substantial debt

Indicates a significant amount owed, focusing on the importance rather than just the size.

great debt

A more general term implying a considerable obligation.

extreme debt

Emphasizes the severity and potentially dangerous level of indebtedness.

large debt

Simply indicates the debt is of considerable size.

considerable debt

Suggests the debt is noteworthy and should be taken seriously.

vast debt

Illustrates the wide-ranging impact and consequences of the debt.

prodigious debt

Highlights the debt as remarkably or impressively great in extent.

FAQs

How can I use "immense debt" in a sentence?

You can use "immense debt" to describe a large financial burden. For example, "The company struggled under the weight of its "immense debt".".

What are some alternatives to "immense debt"?

Alternatives include "huge debt", "massive debt", or "substantial debt", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "immense debt" in formal writing?

Yes, "immense debt" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in financial or economic contexts. It effectively conveys the significant scale of the debt.

What is the difference between "immense debt" and "large debt"?

"Immense debt" implies a greater magnitude than "large debt". "Immense" suggests an exceptionally significant amount, whereas "large" is more general.