be due to

USAGE SUMMARY

"be due to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to mean something is caused or caused by something else. For example, "The poor harvest this year was due to the unexpected early frost."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Crying may be due to ear pain.

The New York Times - Travel

This may be due to cowardice.

The New York Times

It will be due to money".

The Guardian

Others might be due to equipment glitches.

The New York Times

This may be due to several factors.

Nature

This may be due to misconfigured routers.

Stanford University

It may not be due to an "endorphin rush", though.

The Guardian

I think it has to be due to police operations.

The New York Times

The difference may be due to James Levine.

The New York Times - Arts

It might be due to too much laughter.

The New York Times - Magazine

The latter may be due to his gammy leg.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be due to", ensure clarity by placing the cause after the phrase. For instance, "The delay was due to unforeseen circumstances" is clearer than "Due to unforeseen circumstances, there was a delay."

Common error

Avoid using "be due to" when you actually mean "be expected to". The phrase "be due to" indicates causation, not anticipation. For example, say "The report is expected next week", not "The report is due to next week" if you mean to express an expectation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be due to" functions as a causal connector, linking an effect to its cause. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is used to express that something is caused or caused by something else. Examples show its use in both scientific and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be due to" is a versatile causal connector widely employed to explain the reasons behind various phenomena. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase indicates that something is caused or caused by something else. With a high presence in scientific and news-related articles, its usage is grammatically correct and commonly accepted. While alternatives like "because of" and "owing to" exist, understanding its proper use—especially in distinguishing it from "be expected to"—ensures clarity in writing. Overall, "be due to" remains a reliable tool for indicating causation across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

because of

Provides a simple and direct expression of causality, suitable for everyday language.

caused by

Highlights direct causation, offering a more active and straightforward construction.

owing to

Presents a slightly more formal alternative, suitable for professional or academic contexts.

attributable to

Emphasizes the assignment of a cause or origin, shifting focus slightly from simple causation.

as a result of

Focuses on the consequence of a cause, emphasizing the outcome of a prior event.

a consequence of

Specifically denotes the outcome or result of an earlier action or event.

on account of

Offers a reason or explanation, suggesting a justification for a particular situation.

stemming from

Implies origination or derivation, highlighting the source from which something arises.

deriving from

Similar to "stemming from", focusing on the origin or source of something.

arising from

Indicates that something emerges or originates from a particular cause or event.

FAQs

How do I properly use "be due to" in a sentence?

Use "be due to" to indicate the cause or reason for something. For instance, "The flight cancellation was due to bad weather" shows the bad weather caused the cancellation.

What are some alternatives to "be due to"?

You can use alternatives such as "because of", "caused by", or "owing to" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "be due to" and "be expected to"?

Yes, "be due to" indicates causation, while "be expected to" indicates anticipation. Saying something "is due to happen" implies a cause, whereas "is expected to happen" implies a prediction or plan.

Can I use "due to" at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically acceptable by some, starting a sentence with "due to" can sometimes sound awkward. It's often better to rephrase the sentence so that "be due to" follows the thing being caused or explained, or use alternatives like "because of" or "as a result of" to start the sentence.