long past due

USAGE SUMMARY

"long past due" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that should have happened a long time ago. For example: "The overdue project is long past due."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Long past due, some would say.

The New York Times

Many call it long past due.

The New York Times

"It's long past due," Mr. Bryant said.

The New York Times

Urgent action by the United States in response to global warming is long past due.

Yale University

Many in the industry say the changes are long past due.

The New York Times

It's long past due that Washington act on credit default swaps.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

When you file those long-past-due returns, overpayments in one year may not offset underpayments in another.

Forbes

Why did my nursery furniture arrive long past the due date?

The Guardian - Money

If the children it creates are to be protected, then change is long past its due date.

The Guardian - Opinion

The need for the Fed to keep stimulating the markets is still there even if quantitative easing is long past its due date.

The Guardian - Opinion

Government laws and regulations are much the same, and it's pretty plain to see that in most countries they've become so bloated that we're long past the due date for a reset.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "long past due," ensure the context clearly indicates what is being referred to and why it's considered late.

Common error

While "long past due" effectively conveys urgency, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "overdue" or "delayed" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "long past due" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, indicating that something should have occurred much earlier. It's used to express a sense of urgency and emphasize the delay, and Ludwig confirms that this is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "long past due" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that something should have happened a considerable time ago. As Ludwig shows, it appears most commonly in news and media, with applications in academic and formal business contexts as well. When writing, keep in mind that while the phrase is effective for emphasizing urgency, be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms to maintain reader engagement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is appropriate and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

long overdue

Adds emphasis to the delay.

overdue

Single word alternative, more concise.

belated

Formal synonym, implying lateness.

much delayed

Adds more emphasis on the waiting period.

delayed

Focuses on the act of postponing.

tardy

A more formal and less common synonym.

behind schedule

Focuses on project management and timelines.

late

Simpler and more general term.

the time has come

Emphasizes urgency and the need for action now.

it is about time

Expresses impatience and expectation.

FAQs

What does "long past due" mean?

The phrase "long past due" signifies that something should have happened or been done a considerable time ago. It implies a significant delay.

How can I use "long past due" in a sentence?

You can use it to express that an action is considerably late, like: "The reform is "long past due"."

What are some alternatives to "long past due"?

Alternatives include "long overdue", "overdue", or "belated", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "long past due" formal or informal?

The phrase "long past due" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it often appears in news and media, suggesting a neutral to slightly formal tone.