is in default

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is in default" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal or financial contexts to indicate that a party has failed to fulfill an obligation, such as a loan repayment or contract terms. Example: "The borrower is in default on the loan agreement, and the lender may take legal action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And now there are even questions about whether the developer is in default on the contract by subcontracting to another developer with political connections.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Regal Cinemas, meanwhile, is in default on its debt but continuing to negotiate with its lenders.

The New York Times

(Lenders do periodic appraisals once a property is in default, Mr. Doherty said).

The New York Times

If the lawyer is in default, he may by the better rule recover nothing.

Yale University

He says Univision is in default of a five-year contract.

Independent

Nearly one in every six borrowers with a student loan balance is in default.

The New York Times

Adelphia is in default on $7 billion in loans, and its shares have been delisted by the Nasdaq stock market.

The New York Times

In the meantime, the agency has garnisheed his Social Security payments because he is in default on his loans.

The New York Times

It is not officially allowed to continue lending to a country that is in default to another sovereign.

The Guardian

In the footnote on the latter page will be found a careful discrimination between those cases in which the plaintiff is in default and those in which the defendant is in default.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is in default", specify the agreement or obligation that has been breached. For example, "The borrower is in default on the loan agreement."

Common error

Avoid using "is in default" when referring to a temporary delay in payment. Default implies a more serious and potentially irreversible breach of obligation. If it's just a late payment, use "is late on payment" or "is behind on payments".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is in default" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of a person, entity, or agreement. As seen in Ludwig examples, it indicates a failure to meet a legal or financial obligation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

23%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is in default" is a common expression, particularly in legal and financial contexts, indicating a failure to meet the obligations of an agreement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage across various reputable sources. While alternatives like "has defaulted" or "is in arrears" exist, "is in default" remains a precise and widely understood way to describe this serious situation. It is crucial to use this phrase accurately, distinguishing it from temporary payment delays and always specifying the breached agreement or obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has defaulted

A more concise and direct way of saying the same thing.

has failed to pay

Directly states the failure to meet payment obligations.

is delinquent

Describes a state of being behind on obligations, often related to payments.

is in arrears

Implies being behind on payments, often used in a less formal context.

is behind on payments

Emphasizes the act of falling behind on scheduled payments.

is in breach

Highlights the violation of a contract or agreement.

is in non-fulfillment

Highlights the failure to meet obligations or commitments.

is non-compliant

Focuses on the failure to adhere to rules or agreements, broader than just financial obligations.

is in violation

Indicates a transgression of rules or laws, applicable in a wider range of situations.

is remiss

Implies negligence or carelessness in fulfilling a duty or obligation.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone "is in default"?

When someone "is in default", it means they have failed to meet the obligations of a loan, contract, or other agreement. This typically involves missed payments or violation of terms.

What are some alternatives to saying "is in default"?

Alternatives include "has defaulted", "is in arrears", "is non-compliant", or "is in breach", depending on the specific context.

How does being "in default" affect a borrower?

Being "in default" can lead to serious consequences, including legal action, repossession of assets, a damaged credit score, and difficulty obtaining future loans.

What's the difference between "is in default" and "is delinquent"?

"Is delinquent" implies a temporary delay in meeting obligations, while "is in default" suggests a more significant and potentially irreversible failure to meet the terms of an agreement. Delinquency can lead to default if not resolved.