owing money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "owing money" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a situation where someone has a debt or financial obligation to pay. Example: "He is currently owing money to several creditors." Alternative expressions include "in debt" and "indebted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"I hate being in debt, I hate owing money.

The Guardian

He died, owing money, in a cheap rooming house on Frith Street on September 18 , 1830

The New Yorker

Many farmers were left owing money, leaving them ineligible for new loans.

The Guardian

The killing may have been drug-related, with the victim owing money, the police said.

The New York Times

He was soon accused of owing money on his truck, which was seized by alleged creditors.

The New York Times

That way, you'll avoid owing money to the I.R.S. at tax time.

The New York Times

From them I absorbed the importance of owning your own place and not owing money or having credit card debts.

The Guardian - Film

They're just fancier ways of owing money to ourselves, ways that cause the official debt ratio to rise.

The New York Times

Depending on whether floating rates rise or fall, one will end up owing money to the other.

The Economist

Ditching debt requires dealing with the emotional underbelly of owing money, and coming to terms with a culture that has serious debt addiction issues.

The New York Times

The concept of samsara debt says those who die owing money will return in the next life as a servant to their debtor, or even their animal.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where someone is "owing money", clarify the amount, the creditor, and the reason for the debt for better context.

Common error

Ensure you're using "owing" to indicate debt, not "owning" to indicate possession. A common mistake is to mix them up in writing, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "owing money" functions as a verb phrase indicating a financial obligation or state of indebtedness. Examples in Ludwig show it used in various contexts, from personal debt to corporate liabilities. Ludwig AI confirms its common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "owing money" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe a state of indebtedness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and the examples demonstrate its presence across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it maintains a generally neutral register, its specific usage can be tailored to different levels of formality by using alternatives like "being in debt" or "having outstanding debts". Remember to clarify the details of the debt for better context and avoid confusing "owing" with "owning". The phrase's high frequency and diverse application make it an essential part of understanding financial discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being in debt

This alternative uses a more common idiom to express the state of owing money.

having outstanding debts

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the existence of unpaid debts.

being indebted

This is a more formal and direct synonym, highlighting the obligation to repay.

carrying a balance

This phrase specifically refers to owing money on a credit card or loan.

being liable for payment

This is a legalistic way of saying someone is responsible for a debt.

under financial obligation

This alternative emphasizes the formal aspect of owing money.

having liabilities

This is a business and accounting term for debts.

owing dues

This is often used in the context of membership fees or subscriptions.

being in arrears

This implies being behind on payments.

having payment obligations

Similar to "under financial obligation", but more general.

FAQs

How can I use "owing money" in a sentence?

You can use "owing money" in a sentence like: "The company declared bankruptcy after owing money to several suppliers."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "owing money"?

You can use alternatives like "being in debt", "having outstanding debts", or "being indebted".

Is it more formal to say "owing money" or "being in debt"?

"Being in debt" is more common and generally neutral. "Owing money" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while phrases like "having liabilities" are more formal.

What's the difference between "owing money" and "having a debt"?

"Owing money" is a more active way of describing the state of indebtedness, while "having a debt" is a more static description of the situation. Both are generally interchangeable.