in default

USAGE SUMMARY

"in default" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in sentences to indicate that someone has failed to meet their obligations or responsibilities. For example: The company was in default of its tax payments, so it was forced to pay a penalty.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Notice of Default is very clear: you have defaulted, you are in default, you are defaultive.

The New York Times

Icesave accounts are declared in default.

The Guardian - Business

One loan ended in foreclosure and four others in default.

The New York Times

The company is in default on $20 million in debt.

The New York Times

Without the revisions, the airline would have been in default.

The New York Times

Four months later, the loan was in default, she says.

The New York Times

In January, Mesa West declared the partnership in default.

The New York Times

Within six months, the C.D.O. was in default.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

<cml:unitList convention = "conventions:simpleUnit">. <element-in-default-namespace/>.

Journal of Cheminformatics

(The biggest dropoffs in default-mode-network activity correlated with volunteers' reports of ego dissolution).

The New Yorker

How many are in default?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Distinguish between a temporary delinquency and being officially "in default", as the latter often triggers legal consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "in default" when you mean "by default". While "in default" describes a failure to act or pay, "by default" describes an automatic selection made when no alternative is chosen.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in default" typically functions as an adjectival prepositional phrase. It describes the current state or status of a subject, usually a financial instrument (loan, account) or a person (borrower). Ludwig AI highlights its prevalence in describing binary states: either a contract is being followed or it is not.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

22%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "in default" is an essential phrase in the English language with two distinct primary uses. In the world of finance and law, it is a formal designation for a failure to fulfill a debt or contract, often found in high-authority publications like The New York Times and Forbes. In technical and scientific contexts, such as those found in ScienceDirect, it describes an automatic or baseline state (e.g., "in default mode"). Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely applicable. Writers should ensure they distinguish between these two meanings to maintain clarity, particularly when communicating about legal obligations versus system configurations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in arrears

Specifically refers to being late with scheduled payments, common in rent and utility contexts.

delinquent

Common in credit reporting to describe an account that is past due but not yet fully defaulted.

behind on payments

A less formal, more descriptive way to express a state of non-payment.

in breach of contract

Broadens the scope to any failure to follow the terms of a legal agreement beyond just financial payment.

failed to meet obligations

A descriptive verbal phrase rather than a status-based noun phrase.

non-compliant

Used when the failure relates to rules, regulations or technical standards rather than money.

non-performing

A technical banking term specifically describing loans that are no longer generating interest.

insolvent

Indicates a total inability to pay debts, whereas the query might just mean a single payment was missed.

outstanding

Refers to a debt that is yet to be paid, which might not yet be considered a failure.

by default

Describes something that happens automatically rather than a failure of payment.

FAQs

How do I use "in default" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a person or entity that has failed to meet a requirement, for example: "The borrower is now "in default" on their student loans."

What is the difference between being "in default" and being "delinquent"?

A loan is usually considered "delinquent" the first day a payment is missed, but it is only declared "in default" after a specific period of non-payment defined by the contract.

Can I use "in default" for computer settings?

Yes, it is common in technical contexts to say a system is running "in default mode", meaning it is using the "default settings" provided by the manufacturer.

What can I say instead of "in default" in a business letter?

Depending on the severity, you might use more specific terms like "in arrears" for late payments or "non-compliant" for failing to follow terms.