been due

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "been due" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was expected or owed at a certain time, often in relation to payments or obligations. Example: "The payment has been due for over a month now, and we need to address this issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Applications were to have been due Wednesday.

The New York Times

Cash had been due by 1 December.

The Guardian

The payment had been due next Tuesday.

The New York Times

"I have been due for a big game," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

A Deadly Adoption had been due to screen this summer.

The Guardian - Film

It had been due to be unveiled on Thursday morning.

The Guardian

"It might have been due to a soft touch".

The New York Times - Sports

It had been due to start on 11 September 2001.

The Guardian

He had been due to leave Thailand on Tuesday.

Independent

It had been due to run until mid-June.

Independent

Brown's behaviour seems to have been due to several factors.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the reason of something with the form "been due to", ensure you are using the right words and the context refers to the cause of a particular thing.

Common error

Avoid using "been due" when active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The delay has been due to weather", consider "Weather caused the delay".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "been due" functions as a stative verb phrase indicating a past state of expectation or obligation. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is often used to denote that something was scheduled, owed, or caused by something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "been due" is a versatile expression used to indicate a past state of expectation, obligation, or causation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and commonly used. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. It's important to understand the nuances of "been due" to ensure clear and precise communication, avoiding passive voice constructions when active voice would provide greater clarity. The context-dependent alternatives, such as "was expected" or "was attributable to", can further refine the intended meaning. Due to all the possible contexts, It's fundamental to use "been due to" properly to not to commit mistakes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was expected

Focuses on the expectation of an event or action, rather than an obligation.

was scheduled

Emphasizes the pre-arranged timing of an event, removing the sense of obligation.

was supposed to

Highlights an intended action, which may not have necessarily occurred.

was attributable to

Shifts the focus to causality, explaining the reason behind a situation.

was a result of

Similar to "was attributable to", it emphasizes the outcome of a specific cause.

was caused by

Directly indicates the reason or agent that led to a particular event or situation.

was owing

Specifically refers to a debt or obligation that is yet to be fulfilled.

was outstanding

Implies that something is still pending or unresolved, often referring to debts or tasks.

was to be

Highlights a plan or intention that was set in motion, but not necessarily completed.

was destined

Implies a predetermined or inevitable outcome, removing the sense of obligation.

FAQs

How do I use "been due" in a sentence?

You can use "been due" to indicate that something was expected or obligated at a certain time. For example, "The report had been due last Friday" or "The success has been due to their hard work".

What can I say instead of "been due"?

You can use alternatives like "was expected", "was scheduled", or "was attributable to", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "The payment is due" or "The payment has been due"?

"The payment is due" indicates the payment is expected now. "The payment has been due" indicates it was expected at a past time and remains unpaid.

What's the difference between "due to" and "because of"?

"Due to" is typically used after a form of the verb "to be", such as "is due to" or "has been due to". "Because of" can often be used interchangeably but is more flexible in sentence structure.