Learn English – “Indebted to” or “indebted for”

prepositions

I have couple of questions.

First, I'm wondering which one of these is correct:

  • I'll forever be indebted to you.

  • I'll indebted to you forever.

And second, I'm not really sure how to use "indebted" in a sentence. What's the difference between "indebted for" and "indebted to"?

Best Answer

In order:

  • English adverbs often may move fairly freely in sentences. The only place that forever wouldn't be idiomatic is between to and you. In some cases a different placement may alter the meaning, but not in your example. No matter where the forever appears, the sentence means that you will be an eternal debtor.

  • The object of the preposition for gives the reason for the debt; the object of the preposition to names the creditor. For example:

    To my editor...I am indebted for a good deal more than her meticulous and painstaking editing.

    The author has an obligation to his editor; the reason for the obligation is the editor's careful copyediting plus, as it turns out, the editor's advice and friendship.

Note that the indebtedness here is metaphoric and really indicates gratitude and the willingness to return a favor rather than a legal obligation for repayment.

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