in debt for

USAGE SUMMARY

"in debt for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone owes money to another person or organization. Example: She found herself in debt for thousands of dollars after a long period of unemployment.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most comics are in debt for 10 years.

The Guardian

Those costs result in debt for hospitals and higher fees for people with insurance.

The Washington Post

"I was in debt for a long time because of it," he said.

The New York Times

In addition, it is $56 billion in debt for health benefits for the retired.

The Economist

Under the terms of the agreement, bondholders would swap $10.6 billion in debt for equity.

The New York Times

Why not go in debt for a few grand, if all it is is numbers?

The New York Times

Mr. Prokhorov agreed to swap $2 billion in debt for shares in the company.

The New York Times

We'd be in debt for the rest of our family life".

The Guardian

"I don't really fancy being in debt for most of my life," says Connor Studd, 16.

The Guardian

They have run up $9,000 in debt for clothes and electronic goods.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Commercial banks have bought about €10 billion in debt-for-property swaps, according to UBS.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in debt for", clearly specify what the debt is related to. For example, instead of saying "I am in debt", say "I am "in debt for" my student loans".

Common error

Avoid vague language when specifying the reason for the debt. Instead of "They are in debt for things", be specific: "They are "in debt for" medical expenses and car repairs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in debt for" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the reason or purpose for the debt. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a valid and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in debt for" is a versatile and widely accepted way to describe the reason behind owing money. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. It's essential to use specific language when indicating the reason for the debt to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "owing money for" or "liable for" can be used depending on the specific nuances you want to convey. Remember to specify the debt to provide clear and valuable information. By following these guidelines, writers can effectively communicate about debt in a clear and contextually relevant manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

owing money for

This alternative directly replaces "in debt" with "owing money", emphasizing the financial obligation.

owing a debt for

This alternative rearranges the phrase while retaining the core meaning of owing money.

indebted for

This word is a more formal synonym for "in debt", suggesting a sense of gratitude alongside the obligation.

carrying debt for

This suggests the ongoing burden of debt, focusing on the act of maintaining the debt over time.

liable for

This alternative indicates legal or financial responsibility for something.

burdened with debt for

This emphasizes the negative impact and weight associated with being in debt.

obligated for

This phrase shifts the focus to a broader sense of obligation, not strictly financial.

financially responsible for

This stresses the financial aspect of the obligation.

responsible for paying

This option highlights the act of paying off debt, shifting the focus to the action rather than the state of indebtedness.

in arrears for

This implies being behind on payments for something specific.

FAQs

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

You can use "in debt for" to describe owing money for a specific reason or item. For example: "She is "in debt for" her new car" or "The company is "in debt for" expansion costs".

What is a good alternative to "in debt for"?

Depending on the context, you could use "owing money for", "liable for", or "indebted for" as alternatives to "in debt for".

Is it correct to say "in debt for"?

Yes, "in debt for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, providing many examples from reliable sources.

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

"In debt" generally describes the state of owing money. "In debt for" specifies what the debt is owed for. For example, "He is in debt" versus "He is "in debt for" his mortgage".