in arrears

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in arrears" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used to describe a situation where a person or organization has not paid an amount of money that they owe before the due date. For example, "The company is currently in arrears for three large invoices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

England started their second innings 337 runs in arrears.

Wikipedia

England thus started their second innings still 344 runs in arrears.

Wikipedia

From December onward, salaries are in arrears.

The New York Times

Are you in arrears with other bills?

Independent

Within three months I was in arrears.

The Guardian - Money

Charas denies that it was in arrears.

The New York Times

Military wages are a year or so in arrears.

The Economist

Their passengers often pay in arrears, out of their earnings.

The Economist

Credit markets don't care which bills are in arrears.

The New York Times

The budget for peacekeeping was $2.6 billion in arrears.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Private-sector workers complain of being paid months in arrears.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in arrears", clearly state what the subject is behind on. For example, specify "rent", "mortgage", or "payments" to provide clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "in arrears" when you mean "in advance". "In arrears" means owing money for past services or time, while "in advance" means paying before the service or time has been provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in arrears" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the state of being behind on payments or obligations. Ludwig shows many examples where it describes financial or contractual lateness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in arrears" is a common and acceptable way to describe the state of being behind on payments or obligations. As Ludwig confirms, it's often used in financial, legal, and business contexts. While the phrase is widely understood, it's important to use it with clarity, specifying what the subject is "in arrears" for. Alternatives like ""behind on payments"" or ""overdue"" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Understanding the nuances of "in arrears" will help ensure your writing is both accurate and professional.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

behind on payments

Focuses specifically on the act of not having made payments.

late with payments

Highlights the lateness of the payments.

delinquent in payment

Emphasizes a failure to fulfill a payment obligation.

overdue

A general term indicating that something is past its due date.

owing back payments

Highlights the fact that past payments are still due.

owing

Implies a debt or obligation that has not yet been settled.

in default

Suggests a more serious state of non-payment, often with legal implications.

outstanding debt

Focuses on the amount of debt that remains unpaid.

unpaid

Directly states that an amount has not been paid.

behind schedule

Can be used metaphorically for non-financial obligations.

FAQs

How do you use "in arrears" in a sentence?

You can use "in arrears" to describe being behind on payments. For example, "The company is three months "behind on payments" and is considered "in arrears"".

What's the difference between "in arrears" and "in debt"?

"In arrears" specifically means being behind on scheduled payments, while "in debt" refers to the overall amount of money owed, whether or not payments are currently "overdue".

What can I say instead of "in arrears"?

You can use alternatives like ""behind on payments"", ""overdue"", or "delinquent" depending on the context.

Is it formal to use the term "in arrears"?

The term "in arrears" is considered relatively formal and is often used in legal, financial, or business contexts. Simpler alternatives like ""behind on payments"" may be more appropriate for informal settings.