is very overdue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very overdue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is past its expected time or deadline, often referring to tasks, payments, or events. Example: "The report is very overdue, and we need to submit it by the end of the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"This is very overdue, and I do apologise for this very sincerely.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

That is really overdue.

Huffington Post

Digital investment – meaning also intelligent digital thinking – is very necessary and long overdue.

The Guardian

"We were hoping the government would go further, but this is very welcome and long overdue," he says.

The Guardian - Money

The shift from poverty reduction to poverty eradication is very welcome, absolutely right, and long overdue.

The Guardian

I am really overdue".

Independent

I think that's very courageous, and long overdue".

The New York Times

Andrew Hagger, a savings expert and founder of MoneyComms, said the move was "very welcome although long overdue", and that the separate systems may have put people off saving.

The Guardian - Money

While your article about the Red campaign ("Bottom Line for (Red)," Business Day, Feb. 6) was very informative and long overdue, it did suggest that there are doubts regarding the program's accountability to the public.

The New York Times

"The holiday is long overdue, we're very tired," said Pam, who works for a drug and alcohol treatment charity.

The Guardian

A Shabab attack is "overdue, to be very grimly honest," he said, adding that Kenya's decision to wade into Somalia was only going to raise the risks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "is very overdue" with a more specific phrase if the context allows. For example, instead of saying "the report is very overdue", specify "the report is two weeks past the deadline".

Common error

While "is very overdue" is acceptable, it can sound slightly informal in highly professional or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "is significantly delayed" or "is substantially behind schedule" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very overdue" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is significantly past its expected time or deadline. According to Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very overdue" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that something is significantly past its expected time or deadline. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical structure. While suitable for a variety of contexts, including news and general communication, it may be perceived as slightly informal in highly professional or academic settings, where alternatives like "is significantly delayed" may be preferred. Examples from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times illustrate its application in diverse scenarios, underscoring its role in highlighting delays that require attention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is significantly delayed

Emphasizes the extent of the delay.

is considerably delayed

Emphasizes the degree of delay experienced.

is considerably late

Highlights the lateness of the subject.

is long past the deadline

Specifically points out that the deadline has passed by a significant amount of time.

is overdue by a large margin

Emphasizes the amount of time that has passed since the deadline.

is substantially behind schedule

Focuses on the scheduling aspect and how far behind it is.

is far from timely

Indicates a lack of timeliness.

is excessively deferred

Highlights that the subject has been put off for too long.

is way behind

An informal way of saying something is late.

is belated

A more formal term indicating lateness.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "is very overdue"?

You can use alternatives like "is significantly delayed", "is considerably late", or "is long past the deadline" depending on the context.

How do I use "is very overdue" in a sentence?

You can use "is very overdue" to describe something that has passed its deadline or expected time. For example, "The payment is very overdue, and we need to address it immediately."

What's the difference between "is overdue" and "is very overdue"?

"Is very overdue" emphasizes the extent of the delay more strongly than simply saying "is overdue". It indicates that something is not just late but significantly so.

Is "is very overdue" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "is very overdue" might be considered slightly informal for certain formal contexts. In such cases, consider using more formal alternatives like "is substantially behind schedule" or "is significantly delayed".