has been due for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'has been due for' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe something that has been expected for a long time. For example, "The new software update has been due for over a month, so its arrival is highly anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The British steamer Saladin, from Liverpool via Cartagena, has been due for two or three days, and may yet be in at Aspinwall before the North Star leaves.

The New York Times

No Child Left Behind, which reauthorized the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, has been due for another reauthorization since 2007.

Huffington Post

Something similar may be said about historical U.S. economic performance, which would suggest that the U.S. has been due for a recession for some time.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

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

The New York Times - Sports

Happy Valley was the series that brought Wainwright the respect she had been due for ages.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Smith said the market had been due for a pullback after an extended rally.

The New York Times

With the longest wait times in the United Kingdom, the sector had been due for a major overhaul this year.

The New York Times

"Sheep that had been due for export remain in a registered feedlot," it said in a statement.

The Guardian

North Korea's comments came after Barack Obama said Sony had made a mistake in axing the comedy, which had been due for release on Christmas Day.

The Guardian

It was the hammering Ajax had been due for all season – since the last drubbing they'd received at the hands of Heerenveen (5-2) in October anyway.

The Guardian - Sport

The ancient machine had been due for a multimillion-dollar upgrade, but it turned out the program was over budget and behind schedule.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has been due for" to indicate that something has been expected or anticipated for a certain period and, often, is now slightly overdue. It implies a sense of anticipation and potential delay.

Common error

Avoid using "has been due for" when simply scheduling an event. It is best suited for scenarios where the event's timing carries a sense of expectation or potential delay, and not just a point on a calendar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been due for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something was scheduled or expected to occur at a certain time and is now likely overdue. Ludwig confirms this.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been due for" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for indicating that something was expected to happen at a certain time and is now possibly overdue. Ludwig AI indicates that it's suitable for expressing anticipation and potential delay, particularly in professional or news-related contexts. While not extremely common, the phrase effectively conveys the idea of something being awaited, as evidenced by examples from sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was overdue

Directly expresses the idea of something being late or past its deadline.

should have happened

Expresses a sense of obligation or expectation that something should have already occurred.

was supposed to happen

Indicates a plan or expectation that might not have been fulfilled.

was expected

Focuses on the expectation rather than the sense of being overdue.

was anticipated

Highlights the anticipation or excitement surrounding an event.

was scheduled

Emphasizes the planned nature of an event.

was slated

Similar to "was scheduled" but slightly less formal.

awaiting

Highlights the state of waiting for something.

was ripe for

Suggests that conditions were favorable for something to happen, making it likely or inevitable.

impending

Focuses on the imminent nature of an event.

FAQs

What does "has been due for" mean?

It means that something was expected to happen or be completed at a certain time and is now potentially overdue. It implies anticipation or a feeling that something is awaited.

Is it appropriate to use "has been due for" in formal writing?

Yes, the phrase is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in contexts like news reports or business updates where you need to convey a sense of anticipation and possible delay. Ludwig confirms this usage.

What can I say instead of "has been due for"?

You can use alternatives like "was expected", "was anticipated", or "was overdue" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "was expected" and "has been due for"?

"Was expected" simply indicates that something was anticipated, while "has been due for" implies a sense of delay or anticipation building up over time. The latter carries a stronger implication of something being awaited longer than initially planned.