had been due

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been due" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was expected or scheduled to happen at a certain time in the past. Example: "The train had been due to arrive at 3 PM, but it was delayed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cash had been due by 1 December.

The Guardian

The payment had been due next Tuesday.

The New York Times

It had been due to be unveiled on Thursday morning.

The Guardian

It had been due to start on 11 September 2001.

The Guardian

A Deadly Adoption had been due to screen this summer.

The Guardian - Film

He had been due to leave Thailand on Tuesday.

Independent

It had been due to run until mid-June.

Independent

It had been due to expire in September.

The Economist

The panel's report had been due next Tuesday.

The New York Times

He had been due to fly out of Christmas Island on the same flight as me.

The Guardian

Wilson had been due to spend his Easter holidays on the Scilly Isles.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had been due", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the expected event or action did not occur or was altered. Providing this context enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "had been due" when the event is still expected to occur in the future. This phrase indicates that the expected time has already passed. Use "is due" or "is scheduled" for future events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been due" functions as a past perfect construction combined with an adjective, indicating a state or event that was expected or scheduled to occur at a specific time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where it describes deadlines, arrivals, or events that were anticipated but may not have happened as planned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had been due" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe something that was expected or scheduled to happen in the past. Ludwig AI analysis shows that its prevalent use in news and media contexts highlights its function in reporting on missed deadlines or altered plans. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates why the anticipated event was modified or did not occur. While acceptable in various registers, it tends towards neutrality. When considering alternatives, "was scheduled" or "was expected" provide similar meanings, but lack the inherent implication that something did not happen as originally anticipated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was scheduled

Focuses more directly on the scheduling aspect, omitting the sense of obligation or expectation.

was set to

Indicates a state of readiness or preparation for a future event in the past.

was expected

Emphasizes anticipation rather than a firm arrangement.

had been anticipated

Highlights expectation and anticipation.

was supposed to

Conveys a weaker sense of obligation or expectation, often implying that the event did not occur.

should have been

Highlights the idea of something not happening as planned and introduces a sense of regret or correction.

was planned for

Focuses more on the planning stage rather than the expected time.

was timed to

Highlights the coordination of an event with a specific point in time.

was on the calendar

Emphasizes that event was marked on a schedule.

was designated for

Emphasizes the formal assignment of an event to a specific time.

FAQs

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

Use "had been due" to describe something that was expected or scheduled to happen at a specific time in the past, especially when it did not occur as planned. For example, "The payment "had been due" last week, but it was delayed."

What's the difference between "had been due" and "was due"?

"Had been due" refers to a past expectation that did not materialize, while "is due" refers to a present or future expectation. For example, "The report "had been due" yesterday (but wasn't submitted)" versus "The report "is due" tomorrow."

Can I use "was scheduled" instead of "had been due"?

Yes, "was scheduled" is a suitable alternative to "had been due", particularly when emphasizing the planned nature of an event. However, "had been due" often carries an implication that the event did not occur as expected, while "was scheduled" is neutral in this regard.

Is it correct to say "had been due to"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "had been due to" is used to indicate the reason something was expected or scheduled. For example, "The delay "had been due to" unforeseen circumstances."