total amount owed

USAGE SUMMARY

"total amount owed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about the total amount of money that someone is responsible for paying back. For example, "I will need to pay back the total amount owed of $500 by next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

This means in the next decade the total amount owed to the government will rise from $13.4bn to $48.1bn.

The Guardian

The proposal would reduce the total amount owed and use state backing to bring down the county's interest rate.

The New York Times

The filing states that at the end of 2001, the total amount owed the company in notes, bank loans and advances was $130 million.

The New York Times

Because reverse mortgages do not require borrowers to make immediate repayments, the interest charges are added to the debt every day, and the total amount owed grows over time.

The New York Times

The decision upheld the $40 million tax bill plus two penalties, for gross misstatement and for understatement, that will raise the total amount owed the government to nearly $56 million.

The New York Times

Transglobe of Canada, whose activities are concentrated in Egypt and Yemen, said it collected $41.4 million in receivables outstanding from E.G.P.C. at the end of June 30, without disclosing the total amount owed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Under the first scenario (the £50,000 lump sum), the total amount owing - the loan plus interest – would be £65,627 after five years, and would have grown to £86,139 after 10 years.

The Guardian - Money

Student-loan debt in the United States totals $1 trillion -- eclipsing the amount owed on credit cards.

Huffington Post

Such figures are not directly comparable, since one is the total amount of income in a country over a year, and the other is the amount owed by banks that may have to be paid over that year.

The New York Times

After each item has been listed, calculate the total and include the final amount owed.

WikiHow

Amount owed.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial matters, be precise with "total amount owed". Always specify the currency and the context (e.g., "The total amount owed on the mortgage is $250,000.").

Common error

Avoid using "total amount owed" and "amount due" interchangeably. "Amount due" refers to an immediate or upcoming payment, while "total amount owed" is the entire outstanding debt.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total amount owed" functions as a noun phrase. It typically acts as the object of a verb or preposition, specifying the entire sum of money that is due. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "total amount owed" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that refers to the entire sum of money that is due. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly appropriate in written English. The phrase sees frequent use in news, media, and formal business contexts, emphasizing clarity and precision in financial discussions. When using "total amount owed", it's important to differentiate it from similar terms like "amount due" or "balance owing", as these can imply immediacy or currency. Knowing that "total amount owed" refers to the overall outstanding debt helps avoid confusion and ensures clear communication in financial matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outstanding balance

Focuses on the remaining sum to be paid.

outstanding debt

Focuses on debt that has not yet been paid.

total debt

Emphasizes the overall debt figure without specifying the obligation to pay.

amount due

Specifies the sum that needs to be paid by a certain date.

total liability

Highlights the financial obligation or responsibility.

total sum due

Highlights the final sum that is expected to be paid.

balance payable

Indicates the amount that is currently payable.

total obligation

Highlights the overall financial duty.

aggregate debt

Refers to the combined total of all debts.

complete indebtedness

Emphasizes the state of being completely in debt.

FAQs

How can I use "total amount owed" in a sentence?

You can use "total amount owed" in sentences like: "The bank calculated the "outstanding balance"", "The "total debt" including interest is significant", or "The letter specified the "amount due" immediately".

What phrases are similar to "total amount owed"?

Similar phrases include ""outstanding balance"", ""total debt"", ""amount due"", and "outstanding debt", all referring to the sum of money that is still to be paid.

Is it better to say "total amount owed" or "balance owing"?

"Total amount owed" and "balance owing" are similar, but "total amount owed" is more formal and comprehensive. "Balance owing" often refers to a current, immediate balance. Consider the context when choosing between the two.

What is the difference between "total amount owed" and "credit limit"?

The "total amount owed" is the actual debt you have accumulated. The "credit limit" is the maximum amount you are allowed to borrow. They are related because the "total amount owed" cannot exceed the "credit limit".