Words / B2

OH-ing/ˈəʊɪŋ/

Owing means still to be paid; owing to means because of: fees owing; owing to the strike. Due is a close twin for money; because of is everyday for the phrase. Owing to the strike, the oral moved online. Mix-up: owe is the verb (already in the dictionary); own. Do not write “owing the rain” without to.

Meaning

Still to be paid; owing to means because of.

Examples

• “Owing to the strike, the oral moved online, the bulletin said.”
• “Library fines still owing block the next loan, which is the unpaid sense.”

Good to know

owing to + noun; money / fees owing. Everyday cause: because of. Verb: owe. Trap: own / “owing the rain”. Forms, news, and exams. Unpaid, or because of (with to).

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