indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "indebted" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective that means having a debt of gratitude or financial obligation to someone. For example: "I am deeply indebted to my parents for all of their support."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This piece is hugley indebted to Uli Hesse's superlative Tor!

The Guardian - Sport

The struggling socialist government of oil-rich Venezuela, where the deforestation rate was the worst last year in South America, is similarly indebted to Beijing.

The Guardian

Shops get in on the act too, and I'm indebted to @andrea_wulf for this one: Fussbodenschleifmaschinenverleih, I'm reliably informed, is the place to turn to if you need your wooden floors sanded down.

The Guardian

As it turned out, The Matrix wasn't quite Ghost in the Shell "for real", but it is indebted to it.

The Guardian - Film

Which is what makes spring 2016 so important, because while likely to be still early in the slow uphill march of rates, that's the point identified by economist Matthew Whittaker as being "crunch time" for Britain's indebted households.

The Guardian - Opinion

Revelations that the beleaguered Cypriot government will have to find almost double the amount to meet the terms of the €10bn bailout – amid signs that the EU's wealthy north has tired of rescuing the bloc's heavily indebted south – have only sharpened her anguish.

The Guardian

I'm indebted to Harvey Cole, an economic and development consultant and former leader of Hampshire County Council, for some extraordinary figures.

The Guardian - Money

Indebted households save instead of spending, afraid an interest-rate rise will poll-axe them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was forced into a superb fingertip save from Marc Pugh's fierce drive and was then indebted to Ryan Tunnicliffe for a goalline clearance to deny Pitman.

The Guardian - Sport

Rubens was self-consciously and openly indebted to other artists.

The Guardian - Arts

I was needy and felt indebted to them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "indebted", specify to whom or what the debt is owed to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "indebted" loosely to describe a purely financial debt. While it can apply, it's more appropriate when there's also a sense of gratitude or obligation beyond the monetary value.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indebted" is as an adjective. It modifies a noun or pronoun, describing a state of owing gratitude or being under obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and usable. Examples such as 'I am indebted' showcase its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "indebted" is frequently used to express gratitude or obligation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears most often in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, signaling a neutral to formal tone. While grammatically correct, it is best used when specifying the source of the debt and avoiding overuse in purely financial contexts. Related phrases such as "owing gratitude" or "beholden to" can offer nuanced alternatives. With a high source quality score and expert rating, "indebted" remains a strong and versatile choice for expressing obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beholden to

Suggests a sense of dependence on someone for a benefit received.

under a debt of gratitude

More elaborate way to convey owing gratitude.

owing gratitude

Emphasizes the feeling of gratitude as a debt to be acknowledged.

obligated to

Similar to "under obligation" but can also imply a moral duty.

under obligation

Highlights the formal aspect of being bound to someone or something.

in debt to

Directly states a literal or figurative debt owed.

grateful for

Focuses on the feeling of thankfulness for something received.

thankful for

Simple and direct expression of gratitude.

appreciative of

Expresses a sense of valuing and being thankful for something.

in recognition of

Highlights the act of acknowledging someone's contribution.

FAQs

How to use "indebted" in a sentence?

You can use "indebted" to express gratitude or obligation. For example, "I am "deeply indebted" to my mentor for their guidance" or "The company is "financially indebted" to the bank".

What can I say instead of "indebted"?

You can use alternatives like "beholden to", "obligated to", or "grateful for" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "indebted"?

The word "indebted" is most appropriate when expressing a sense of gratitude or obligation, whether financial or otherwise. It implies a deeper connection than just owing money.

What's the difference between "indebted" and "obligated"?

"Indebted" often carries a connotation of gratitude, while "obligated to" simply means bound by duty or contract. You might feel "indebted" to someone who helped you, but "obligated" to fulfill a contract.