How much do I owe (to) you?

[taked4700]

Hi,

One of my dictionaries says that "How much do I owe to you?" is not idiomatic.

But I guess that "How much do I owe to the creditors?" would be idiomatic.

What do you think about this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bhaisahab]

Hi,

One of my dictionaries says that "How much do I owe to you?" is not idiomatic.

But I guess that "How much do I owe to the creditors?" would be idiomatic.

What do you think about this?

Thanks in advance.

I agree with the dictionary.

 

[taked4700]

Thank you, Bhaisahab.

But I'm confused. Do you mean that "How much do I owe the creditors?" is idiomatic while "How much do I owe to the creditors?" is not?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Offroad]

[I am not a teacher]

You could compare 'owe' to 'give':

I gave you a car.
I gave a car to you.

 

[probus]

Where I live, this to would virtually always be omitted.

 

[probus]

I agree with the dictionary.

And a dictionary is a very hard thing to disagree with.

 

[taked4700]

Thank you, all the contributors.

Could I make sure of my understanding?

I guess that "How much do I owe to you?" would be grammatical but not idiomatic. Is this right?

One more thing, "What did he give to you?" is not idiomatic but grammatical is my understanding. Am I correct?

Thanks in advance.

 

[emsr2d2]

Correct:
How much do I owe the creditors?
How much money do I owe the creditors?

Not correct:
How much do I owe to the creditors?
How much money do I owe to the creditors?

Please note that you will hear people saying the phrase with "to" but it is superfluous and should be omitted.

 

[Rover_KE]

In a different construction, we have to use 'to' after 'owe.

'I've become a successful author, and I owe it all to my teachers.'