very indebted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very indebted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sense of gratitude or obligation to someone for a favor or help received. Example: "I am very indebted to my mentor for guiding me through my career challenges."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

I'm very indebted to him".

The Guardian - Sport

Children's authors should be very indebted to her".

Independent

"You can be very indebted, but it will never surface if everyone has a job.

The New York Times

They're obviously very indebted to Blake, but they're also reminiscent of the covers of early science-fiction books".

The New Yorker

India is not very indebted: at 55% of GDP, bank credit is far lower than in China, let alone rich countries.

The Economist

"I'm very indebted to Donnie, but at the same time, I got to go forward and get the team to win.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Western art is very much indebted to Christian imagery and by extension, I am very much indebted to Christian imagery".

The New York Times

The film was going to happen, but they pushed it over the finish line to get a green light, so I'm very much indebted to everyone in Hall H last year".

Independent

And "Las Acacias," directed by Pablo Giorgelli, is a quiet, entrancing, relentlessly linear Argentine road movie very much indebted to Lisandro Alonso, whose films "Los Muertos" and "Liverpool" are among the definitive Argentine road movies of our time.

The New York Times

But her work is also very much indebted to photography — not just to fine-art photographers like J. D. 'Okhai Ojeikere and Malick Sidibé but to the vernacular imagery of her home country.

The New Yorker

The authors are very much indebted to the anonymous referees for their helpful comments and suggestions.

Boundary Value Problems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very indebted" when you want to express a strong sense of gratitude for specific help or a significant favor. It conveys a deeper sense of obligation than simply saying "thank you".

Common error

Avoid using "very indebted" in casual conversations or informal settings where a simple "thank you" would suffice. Overusing formal language can sound unnatural or even insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very indebted" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a subject by expressing a state of being deeply obligated or grateful. It often appears after a form of the verb 'to be' (e.g., 'I am very indebted'). As seen in Ludwig, this expression effectively communicates a strong sense of gratitude.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very indebted" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey a strong sense of gratitude or obligation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific writing. While alternatives like "deeply grateful" or "greatly obliged" exist, "very indebted" offers a clear and direct way to acknowledge significant assistance. It's important to use it judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal settings to maintain a natural and sincere tone. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of its usage, alternatives, and potential pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Deeply grateful

Emphasizes the depth of gratitude experienced, focusing on the emotional aspect.

Very thankful

Synonymous but avoids the term "indebted".

Greatly obliged

Highlights a sense of formal obligation and thankfulness.

Truly grateful

Emphasizes the sincerity and genuineness of the gratitude.

Extremely thankful

Stresses the high degree of thankfulness felt.

Much appreciated

A more concise and common way to express gratitude for something.

Incredibly appreciative

Focuses on the feeling of appreciation, highlighting its intensity.

Heavily obligated

Emphasizes the feeling of being bound by a strong sense of duty or commitment.

Eternally grateful

Indicates a lasting sense of gratitude that will not fade over time.

Forever in your debt

Uses metaphorical language to express a continuous sense of owing gratitude.

FAQs

What is the best way to use "very indebted" in a sentence?

Use "very indebted" to express a deep sense of gratitude or obligation for something someone has done for you. For example, "I am "very indebted" to my mentor for their guidance and support."

What can I say instead of "very indebted"?

You can use alternatives like "deeply grateful", "greatly obliged", or "extremely thankful" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "very indebted" or "deeply indebted"?

"Very indebted" and "deeply indebted" are similar in meaning and usage. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context. "Deeply indebted" might suggest a slightly stronger sense of obligation.

When is it inappropriate to use the phrase "very indebted"?

It's generally inappropriate to use ""very indebted"" in casual or informal situations. This phrase is better suited for expressing gratitude in more formal or serious contexts where a significant favor or act of kindness has been received.