laden with debt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "laden with debt" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is experiencing a large amount of debt, either financially or emotionally. Example: "The business closed its doors after years of being laden with debt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The team, Citi Field and SNY are laden with debt.

The New York Times - Sports

And Global Crossing, laden with debt, is reportedly close to bankruptcy.

The New York Times

World markets were slumping and had grown increasingly uneasy about projects laden with debt.

The New Yorker

But is the typical American, laden with debt and worried about his job, ready to be that robust?

The Economist

The company is doing relatively well, but few investors want to lend to a firm so laden with debt.

The New York Times

"The private equity houses left the business laden with debt and that weakened their ability to defend themselves and fight".

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

The German capital, laden with debts of almost £30bn, is under intense pressure to curb the generous sums it spends on maintaining its status as one of Europe's outstanding cultural centres.

The Guardian

But it doesn't do much good for a recent college graduate- likely laden with debt-if they try to enter the workforce in a broken down economy.

HuffPost

Too many young people graduate laden with debts that take years if not decades to pay off.

Huffington Post

The longer this persists the greater the risk of a slide into deflation, imperilling countries laden with excessive debt.

The Economist

A general strike on 29 March will test how the Spanish feel about Rajoy's handling of an economy laden with private debt and fallout after a housing bubble burst.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a company's financial situation, use "laden with debt" to concisely convey a significant debt burden. For example: "The company, already laden with debt, faced further challenges due to the economic downturn."

Common error

Avoid using "loaded with debt" when "laden with debt" is more appropriate. While both words relate to carrying a burden, "laden" often carries a more formal or literary connotation, particularly when describing abstract burdens like debt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "laden with debt" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase. It modifies a noun, describing its state of being burdened by debt. This usage is consistent with Ludwig's examples, where the phrase describes companies, individuals, or even entire economies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

23%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "laden with debt" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the condition of being heavily burdened by debt. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of audiences. While alternatives like "burdened by debt" or "heavily indebted" exist, "laden with debt" provides a concise and impactful way to describe financial strain. Writers should be mindful of the slightly more formal tone and avoid confusing it with the more informal "loaded with debt".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Burdened by debt

This alternative uses a more common synonym for "laden", making it slightly more accessible.

Saddled with debt

Emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down by debt, similar to "laden".

Struggling with debt

Focuses on the active difficulty of managing debt, rather than just the state of being in debt.

Heavily indebted

A more formal and direct way of stating the presence of significant debt.

Under a heavy debt burden

Emphasizes the ongoing nature and weight of the debt.

Deep in debt

Highlights the severity and extent of the debt.

Overwhelmed by debt

Focuses on the emotional impact and feeling of being unable to cope with the debt.

Crippled by debt

Suggests a severe and debilitating impact of debt on one's financial state.

Financially strained due to debt

Explains the financial difficulties are a direct consequence of debt.

Facing a mountain of debt

Uses a metaphorical expression to emphasize the large amount of debt.

FAQs

How can I use "laden with debt" in a sentence?

You can use "laden with debt" to describe an entity, such as a company or individual, that has a significant amount of debt. For example: "The newly graduated student was "laden with debt" from student loans."

What are some alternatives to saying "laden with debt"?

Alternatives to "laden with debt" include "burdened by debt", "heavily indebted", or "struggling with debt". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "laden with debt" or "loaded with debt"?

"Laden with debt" is generally considered more formal and often preferred in writing, while "loaded with debt" is more informal. Both are acceptable, but consider your audience and the context when choosing between them.

What does it mean for a company to be "laden with debt"?

When a company is described as "laden with debt", it means that the company has a significant amount of debt obligations, which can negatively impact its financial stability and ability to grow. This can make it more difficult to secure additional financing or navigate economic downturns.