outstanding balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"outstanding balance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to an account balance which is not yet paid or cleared. For example, "The outstanding balance on my credit card was $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have an outstanding balance on your account.

The New Yorker

Ms. Ortiz paid the outstanding balance of $2,000.

The New York Times

Part of each payment is applied to the interest and part reduces the outstanding balance.

The New York Times

Dear Valued Pet, You have an outstanding balance on your account.

The New Yorker

The outstanding balance on mortgage accounts delinquent more than 90 days was €17.5 billion.

The New York Times

However, there is a hefty early redemption fee of up to 7% of the outstanding balance.

The Guardian - Money

"We are writing to you concerning your outstanding balance of $0.00.

The New York Times

Some customers will receive cash, while others are likely to have their outstanding balance reduced.

The Guardian - Business

On a $5 million outstanding balance, that would amount to $279,500.

The New York Times

Mr Argakov was only ordered to pay an outstanding balance of 19,000 rubles (£371).

The Telegraph

While a purchase order confirms enrollment, an outstanding balance is maintained until payment is rendered.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always specify the currency when discussing the "outstanding balance" to avoid ambiguity, especially in international contexts.

Common error

Don't assume "outstanding balance" refers to your credit limit. The former is what you currently owe, while the latter is the maximum you can borrow. Using them interchangeably can lead to misunderstandings about your financial situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding balance" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or complement in a sentence. It identifies the amount of money that remains to be paid. Ludwig AI shows it appearing in various contexts, reinforcing its role in financial discussions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstanding balance" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase referring to the unpaid amount of a debt or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and business. It functions to provide financial clarity and carries a neutral to professional tone. Related terms include "amount due" and "balance due". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the currency and avoiding confusion with related financial terms like 'credit limit'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding debt

Synonymous, another way to describe unpaid debt.

open balance

Indicates a balance that has not been closed out or settled.

amount due

Focuses on the obligation to pay.

balance due

Emphasizes the portion of an amount that remains unpaid.

uncleared balance

Emphasizes that funds have not yet been processed or finalized.

unpaid amount

Highlights the lack of payment.

remaining debt

Specific to debt situations, indicating the part not yet settled.

payment due

Highlights the payment obligation itself.

shortfall

Indicates the difference between what is owed and what has been paid.

accounts receivable

From a business perspective, it's the total money owed to a company.

FAQs

How is "outstanding balance" used in a sentence?

You can use "outstanding balance" to refer to the amount of money that is still owed on a debt. For instance, "The "outstanding balance" on my mortgage is $150,000".

What's a simple way to define "outstanding balance"?

The "outstanding balance" is the amount of money you still need to pay on a loan, credit card, or bill. It's the difference between the total amount you owed and what you've already paid.

What's the difference between "outstanding balance" and "credit limit"?

Your "outstanding balance" is the amount you currently owe. Your credit limit is the maximum amount you can borrow. Confusing these terms can lead to financial miscalculations.

Are there alternatives to saying "outstanding balance"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "amount due", "balance due", or "unpaid amount" depending on the specific context.