it's long overdue

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's long overdue" is a correct phrase in written English and is often used to describe something that should have happened a long time ago.
For example: The new regulations for the workplace are long overdue - they should have been implemented years ago.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ruby McGregor-Smith, its chief executive, said: "It's long overdue given the lack of increases lower paid staff have had.

Independent

"It's long overdue for Lanford," said James Houghton, the Signature's artistic director.

The New York Times - Arts

TIMELINE: Summer's must see concerts "I'm very excited, it's long overdue," she said.

Los Angeles Times

But yours should be to support A.M.D.'s campaign It's logical, it's fair — and it's long overdue.

The New York Times - Tech

It's long overdue that Britain cleaned up its act.

Vice

"It's long overdue," said Vincent, whose wife is expecting the couple's third child any day.

The New York Times - Sports

It's long overdue if Apple wants to stay relevant against Facebook's messaging apps, Messenger and Whatsapp.

TechCrunch

"It's long overdue.

The New York Times

I believe it's long overdue.

The New York Times

"It's long overdue," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

"We think it's long overdue".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with social, political, or professional reforms to highlight that the status quo was maintained longer than it should have been.

Common error

Avoid adding 'too' before the phrase (e.g., 'it is too long overdue') as 'long' already functions as the intensifier for the delay. Additionally, ensure you use the correct preposition 'for' when specifying the recipient of the action, rather than 'to'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's long overdue" serves as an evaluative predicative statement. It utilizes the third-person singular pronoun it as a dummy subject or a referential pronoun, followed by a contraction of the copular verb is. The core semantic weight lies in the compound adjective long overdue, where long acts as an adverbial intensifier for overdue. Ludwig AI confirms its status as a standard, correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it's long overdue" is a robust and versatile English expression used to highlight that a specific action, event, or change should have occurred much earlier. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across the most prestigious English-speaking media outlets. It carries a sense of justice or corrective necessity, making it a powerful tool in both editorial writing and professional communication. Whether you are discussing policy changes, social progress, or software updates, this phrase effectively conveys that the delay was significant and that the current action is a welcome, albeit late, resolution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's long past due

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the delay even more strongly than the query.

it's high time

An idiomatic way to express that something should have happened much earlier, often with more urgency.

it's about time

A more conversational and sometimes slightly impatient alternative.

it's been a long time coming

Focuses on the long period of waiting or development leading up to the event.

it's long-awaited

Shifts the focus from the delay to the anticipation and expectation of the event.

it's long delayed

A formal alternative that emphasizes the process rather than the status of being 'due'.

it should have happened sooner

A more direct, explanatory literal statement of the sentiment.

it's overdue by far

Uses a different adverbial structure to emphasize the extent of the lateness.

it's significantly delayed

A more formal and clinical way to describe a late event or process.

it is late

The simplest possible form, though it lacks the emphatic nature of the original phrase.

FAQs

How to use "it's long overdue" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a necessary change, such as: "The decision to increase the minimum wage is great; <a href="/s/it's+long+overdue" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's long overdue."

What can I say instead of "it's long overdue"?

Depending on your tone, you can use phrases like "<a href="/s/it's+high+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's high time", "<a href="/s/it's+about+time" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's about time", or "<a href="/s/it's+long+past+due" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's long past due".

What is the difference between "it's long overdue" and "it's long past due"?

The phrases are virtually interchangeable, but "<a href="/s/it's+long+past+due" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's long past due" slightly emphasizes the temporal distance from the original deadline.

Is "it's long overdue" formal enough for business writing?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in professional contexts. For a more technical report, you might consider "<a href="/s/it's+significantly+delayed" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it's significantly delayed".