it was owed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was owed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is due or required, often in the context of a debt or obligation. Example: "After all the hard work he put in, it was owed to him that he received recognition for his efforts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In its filing, Harbinger said it was owed "not less than $250 million" from exposure to "swap agreements".

The New York Times

Greece spent its way into its predicament while failing to collect the taxes it was owed and hiding the problem from the rest of Europe.

The New York Times

The company also said its results would have been better if a lawsuit initiated by the railways against its insurers had not frozen insurance payments it was owed.

The New York Times

Earlier this year, however, the utility did say that it was owed $118 million, and that about half its customers were delinquent.

Vice

India was also arguing that it was owed a break on cutting emissions given its very low per capita carbon dioxide emissions levels.

Huffington Post

It said it was owed that amount because Dynegy had broken off its proposed merger without good reason.

The New York Times

The county said it was owed $95,769.17.

The New York Times - Sports

Why wouldn't a bank take money that it was owed?

The New York Times

She had taken the money, her lawyer said, but it was owed to her.

The New York Times

Judge Griesa has said Elliott should be paid all that it was owed.

The New York Times

China refused to be mollified, insisting it was owed an apology and compensation.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was owed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is the recipient of the obligation. Providing explicit details enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was owed" when the active voice would be clearer. For example, instead of saying "the money was owed to him", consider "he was owed the money" or "they owed him the money" to improve sentence flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was owed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something was due or required to be given. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it being used in contexts of debts, obligations, and entitlements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was owed" is a versatile phrase used to describe a past obligation or debt. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Its prevalence in News & Media and Academic sources indicates its suitability for formal communication. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly specifying the recipient of the obligation. Consider alternatives such as "it was due" or "it was payable" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was due

Replaces "owed" with "due", emphasizing the expectation of something being received.

it was payable

Substitutes "owed" with "payable", highlighting the financial obligation.

it was outstanding

Replaces "owed" with "outstanding", focusing on the state of the debt or obligation.

it was receivable

Swaps "owed" with "receivable", emphasizing the expectation of receiving something.

it was entitled to

Shifts the focus to entitlement rather than obligation.

it had a right to

Emphasizes the legal or moral justification for receiving something.

it was coming to it

Emphasizes inevitability or destiny.

it had a claim to

Highlights the legal aspect of owing.

it was to be paid

Changes voice and structure, but expresses same core meaning.

it was in line for

Shifts emphasis to expected positive outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it was owed" in a sentence?

Use "it was owed" to indicate that something was due or required to be given to someone. Example: "After years of dedicated service, recognition "it was owed" to him."

What are some alternatives to "it was owed"?

Consider alternatives such as "it was due", "it was payable", or "it was outstanding" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "it was owed" and "it was deserved"?

"It was owed" implies a debt or obligation that needed to be fulfilled, while "it was deserved" indicates that something was earned or merited. The former focuses on an obligation, the latter on merit.

Is "it's owed" or "it was owed" more appropriate?

"It's owed" is a contraction of "it is owed", suggesting a present state of obligation. "It was owed" indicates that the obligation existed in the past. The correct choice depends on the timeline you are referring to.