liens on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "liens on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal and financial contexts to refer to a legal right or interest that a lender has in the borrower's property, granted until the debt obligation is satisfied. Example: "The bank has liens on the property until the mortgage is fully paid off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Liens on one-family homes can be extended for two one-year terms beyond the lien's initial one-year period, but only by court order.

The New York Times

Liens on other privately owned properties can be extended for one year without a court order, and for two additional one-year terms by court order.

The New York Times

He added that because Mr. Hayes has several liens on the house, the first lien is probably the only one that will be repaid in full.

The New York Times

The district attorney's office has put liens on his properties.

The New York Times

But they do often hold second liens on their books.

The New York Times

City water officials can already place liens on commercial properties.

The New York Times

Others put liens on borrowers' cars and houses.

The New York Times

There were nearly $9 million worth of liens on the two properties.

The New York Times

It can't impose criminal sanctions or liens on the property of those who do not comply.

The New York Times

Also, many homes have several claims or "liens" on them, which complicate any debt reduction.

The Economist

Mr. Bock also says the I.R.S. was mistaken in placing liens on Ms. Clark's property.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing property transactions, always specify the type of lien (e.g., tax lien, mechanic's lien, mortgage lien) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "liens on" to imply ownership. A lien signifies a claim against a property, not ownership of it. Clarify whether the entity holding the lien is seeking to acquire ownership through foreclosure or other means.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liens on" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun by specifying what the liens are attached to. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate its application in legal and financial contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Science

0.1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "liens on" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase widely employed to denote a legal claim against an asset, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in neutral to professional contexts, such as news and legal documents, it serves to clarify ownership status and associated financial obligations. While variations like "claims against" or "encumbrances on" exist, the phrase maintains a strong presence in authoritative sources, making it a valuable term for precise communication in legal and financial discussions. Ludwig's examples demonstrate the usage with different sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encumbrances on

Substitutes "liens" with "encumbrances", a broader term referring to any burden or impediment on property ownership.

claims against

Replaces "liens" with the more general term "claims", indicating an assertion of rights or demands against something.

charges on

Uses "charges" as a synonym for liens, highlighting the financial obligations attached to the property.

security interests in

Replaces "liens" with the more formal "security interests", emphasizing the legal right to seize or sell property to satisfy a debt.

burdens on

Employs "burdens" to convey the sense of obligations or liabilities affecting a property.

rights over

Indicates a legal entitlement or control over property or assets.

demands on

Focuses on the claims or requirements asserted against a property or asset.

holdings on

Highlights the possession or control asserted over a property or asset.

restrictions on

Emphasizes the limitations or constraints imposed on the use or disposal of property.

interests in

A broad term that can encompass various forms of ownership or claims related to property.

FAQs

How does a lien affect property ownership?

A lien doesn't transfer ownership but gives the lienholder a legal claim against the property. If the debt isn't paid, the lienholder can potentially force the sale of the property to satisfy the debt.

What are some common types of liens?

Common types include tax liens (for unpaid taxes), mechanic's liens (for unpaid construction work), and mortgage liens (securing a home loan). Other examples are judgment liens (resulting from court decisions) and "vendor's lien" (security interest over goods sold).

How can I find out if there are liens on a property?

Title searches are typically conducted during property transactions to identify any existing liens. You can also check with local government offices, such as the county recorder or tax assessor, for records of liens.

What happens if there are multiple liens on a property?

The priority of liens determines the order in which they are paid. Generally, the first lien recorded has priority. However, certain liens, such as tax liens, may have super-priority regardless of when they were recorded.