daff  +  620557 Wed, 24 Dec 08 08:06 PM Hello! Suppose I lend money to other people. So they become my debtors. Can I use "Debtors' debts" phrase when I mention the money they owe me? In other words does "Debtors' debts" sound ugly or ok? Is there a short synonym phrase with the same meaning which could be easy understood by ordinary people? Thanks daff Joined on Wed, Dec 24 2008 New Member 05 Synonyms, Refinancing

	Avangi  +  620597 Wed, 24 Dec 08 09:09 PM I wouldn't exactly call it "ugly," but it does sound a little stupid.  I notice you use "debtors' " in the plural. So are you looking for a phrase to mean all the money owed to you by all debtors, as a single sum, or that amount owed by a single debtor?  "Accounts receivable" comes to mind, but I think of that more as a list of names and amounts together, describing debts which are now payable, or perhaps overdue.  ("Payable" is probably a bad word here, because from your point of view, accounts payable are the ones which you are supposed to pay. I meant, "payable to you, not by you.) When someone owes you money, it may not be due for another five years.  Are you thinking only of debts which are past due? I also think of "my outstanding debts," but I'm afraid "ordinary people," as you say, would be as confused as I am as to whether they're owed to me or by me.  ("My outstanding credits" is not a natural thing to say.) I've verified that "my outstanding debts" flows in the direction of "my debtors' debts," but I don't think this would be widely understood. (In legal wills I find the expression, "I would like this to be paid with money from my outstanding debts.")   - A. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 7,960 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier Plurals, Refinancing

	Clive  +  620632 Wed, 24 Dec 08 09:55 PM hi, In everyday speech. I'd say that when someone talks about my debts, they almost always are referring to money that they owe to other people. For the 'other direction', in everyday speech we tend to avoid the word 'debt' and say, instead, things like ' the money that people owe me'. Best wishes, Clive Clive Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004 Canada Veteran Member 29,304 El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo Refinancing, Speaking, Speeches

	Avangi  +  620727 Thu, 25 Dec 08 12:05 AM Clive “ In everyday speech ” Hi, Clive, I'm reminded of the two versions of "The Lord's Prayer" I grew up with.  In church, we said, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."  In public school, we said, "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."  I always liked the less wordy one.                                          Merry Christmas,  - A.                                                Avangi Refinancing, Speaking, Speeches, Christmas, Holidays

	Grammar Geek  +  620802 Thu, 25 Dec 08 01:48 AM Avangi, I'm guessing you grew up either Presbyterian or Congregationalist. Those are the only ones I know of that use the debts/debtors -- and that's what I was thinking when I read this thread too. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,508 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Refinancing

	Avangi  +  621090 Thu, 25 Dec 08 08:48 AM daff “  Financial Statement at the end of December: We owe: $***     Debtors owe us: $*** Will it be acceptable? ” This should be clearly understood by everyone. As Clive has said, some may find it a bit out of style, or old fashioned, or legalistic. I'm not sure why, but in casual conversation "debtors" often has a negative connotation, like "deadbeats."  I guess everybody owes, but nobody likes to admit it.  Perhaps it goes back to the days when we had "debtors' prisons." Merry Christmas.   - A. Avangi Negatives, Speaking, Christmas, Holidays, Styles, Conversational, Chat, Friendships

	Avangi  +  621100 Thu, 25 Dec 08 08:53 AM Grammar Geek “ Presbyterian or Congregationalist. ” My mother said we were Northern Baptists, but I believe we got as wet as the Southern Baptists. Avangi