owing to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "owing to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is a result of or caused by him. Example: "The project was a success, owing to him and his team's hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The money was "the final outstanding amount" owing to him, Platini said, although he did not explain why it took nine years to be paid.

The Guardian - Sport

A few months earlier, one of the only foreigners the Tibetan government had ever employed received the country's highest honour, the Light of Truth award and also the last of his salary, a 100-srang note, still owing to him from before his arrest.

The Economist

Though synthesized already since 1845 by Peyrone owing to him its name of Peyrone's salt, only in the late 1960s was it used clinically in oncologic therapy for head and neck, lung, bladder, cervical, ovarian, testicular, and gastrointestinal cancers, as well as malignant gliomas and metastatic cancers such as melanoma, mesothelioma, and those of the prostate and breast [ 2].

BioMed Research International

Chainrai – with a mortgage over the club's assets to secure £17m owing to him from loans made at eye-watering rates of interest – is last man standing from Pompey's extraordinary, bloody chronicle of rapidly changing overseas owners.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's what I owe – to him.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That I owe to him," he said of Stewart.

The New York Times - Sports

My scientific work is in a sense owed to him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Our son is owed  £200 for expenses owed to him while working for British Airways.

Independent

The humanist Erasmus (c. 1466 1536) owed to him much of his insight into biblical exegesis.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The money he was to receive was owed to him, the committee was told.

The New York Times

Yet, he is grateful to his father: "Much of what I am I owe to him".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "owing to him", ensure the context clearly implies a sense of causation or obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "owing to him" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "because of him" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "owing to him" functions as a causal connector, indicating that something is a result or consequence of someone's actions or influence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it explains causation or obligation. The examples provided demonstrate its use in formal contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "owing to him" is a causal connector indicating that something is a result of someone's actions. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct but less common than alternatives like "because of him" or "due to him". While the phrase is neutral and leans toward formal register, it is primarily found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. When using this phrase, consider your audience and the desired level of formality. Opt for simpler alternatives in casual settings to maintain clarity and naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of him

This alternative is a more direct and common way to express the cause.

due to him

This alternative conveys a similar sense of causation but might sound slightly more formal.

as a result of him

This alternative is a slightly more verbose way to express causation.

resulting from him

This alternative highlights the consequence of his involvement.

on his account

This alternative emphasizes that something happened because of his actions or influence.

thanks to him

This alternative expresses gratitude for the positive result caused by him.

his doing

This alternative is more concise and informal, referring to an action or accomplishment.

attributable to him

This alternative is more formal and suggests that something can be traced back to him as the source.

by virtue of him

This alternative implies that something is achieved because of his inherent qualities or position.

by reason of him

This alternative is very formal and less commonly used.

FAQs

What does "owing to him" mean?

The phrase "owing to him" means that something is caused by or is a result of someone's actions or influence. It can also imply a sense of obligation or debt towards that person.

When should I use "owing to him"?

Use "owing to him" when you want to express that something happened because of someone, often implying a sense of debt or gratitude. However, be aware that it can sound formal, so consider your audience and the context.

What are some alternatives to "owing to him"?

You can use alternatives like "because of him", "due to him", or "thanks to him", depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "owing to him" formal or informal?

"Owing to him" tends to be more formal than alternatives like "because of him" or "due to him". Consider your audience and the context when choosing the most appropriate phrase.