money owed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "money owed" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It refers to a specific amount of money that is owed or due to be paid by someone. Here are a few examples of how it could be used in a sentence: 1. "John has been struggling to pay off the money owed on his credit card." 2. "The landlord is demanding that the tenant pay the money owed in rent by the end of the week." 3. "The company filed for bankruptcy due to the large amount of money owed to its creditors." 4. "I finally received the last installment of money owed from my freelance client." 5. "The court ordered the defendant to pay back all the money owed to the victim as restitution."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Naturally, the money owed also declined sharply.

The New York Times

That was money owed to Fireclay by its wholesale clients.

The New York Times

Other money owed to the state has also gone unpaid.

The New York Times

If the caregiver sued for money owed, what happened?

The New York Times

Arrow widths are proportional to the balance of money owed.

The New York Times

Staff will receive money owed when they leave the company.

The Guardian - Business

So it cannot recover the money owed to the government.

The New York Times

Moreover, they helped resolve disputes about goods sold and money owed.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The defendant disputed not the money owed but the availability of assumpsit.

Harvard University

Cities and counties are preparing to sue the state government for money owed to them.

The Economist

The Moroccan Bureau for Copyright has in recent months denied withholding money owed to artists.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, clearly specify the "money owed" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "they owe money", state "they owe $5,000".

Common error

Ensure you're not mixing up "money owed" (debt) with "money owned" (assets). The former represents liabilities, while the latter represents possessions of value.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "money owed" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically identifies a specific sum of money that is due or outstanding. Ludwig provides many examples of this phrase in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

28%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "money owed" is a very common noun phrase that refers to a specific sum of money that is due or outstanding. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including News & Media and Academia. When writing, it's crucial to differentiate "money owed" from "money owned" to avoid confusion. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "outstanding balance" or "amount due", depending on the specific context. This analysis, supported by diverse examples, provides a comprehensive understanding of the phrase's usage and implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding balance

Focuses on the remaining amount due.

debt payable

Highlights the obligation to pay a debt.

amount due

Emphasizes the sum that is currently required to be paid.

financial liabilities

Refers to obligations and debts owed.

unpaid debt

Stresses the lack of payment on the debt.

accounts payable

Specifically refers to short-term debts owed to suppliers or vendors.

dues outstanding

Highlights that the payments are still to be made.

unsettled debt

Emphasizes the debt that has not been resolved or paid.

outstanding invoices

Focuses on the unpaid bills or invoices.

monetary obligation

Emphasizes the legal or moral duty to pay a sum of money.

FAQs

How do I use "money owed" in a sentence?

You can use "money owed" to describe a debt or liability. For example, "The company is struggling to pay the money owed to its suppliers".

What can I say instead of "money owed"?

Alternatives include "outstanding balance", "debt payable", or "amount due", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "money is owed" instead of "money owed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct. "Money owed" functions as a noun phrase, while "money is owed" is a passive construction. The best choice depends on the desired emphasis.

What's the difference between "money owed" and "debt"?

"Debt" is a general term for an obligation to pay, while "money owed" specifies the amount of that obligation. "Money owed" is more specific, referring to a quantifiable sum.