past due

USAGE SUMMARY

"past due" is correct and it can be used in written English.
You use it when something is late or overdue. For example, "The rent is past due."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

It's past due".

Independent

Long past due, some would say.

The New York Times

Today it is six years past due.

The New Yorker

In fact, it's way past due".

The Guardian

Many call it long past due.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

My insurance on my car was way past due.

The Guardian - Money

Delinquencies are defined as loans 30 days past due.

The New York Times

The city's teachers are past due for a raise.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Because as Hansen himself warns, action is already well-past due.

The Guardian - Opinion

She asks each to show her a past-due bill.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing financial obligations, use "past due" to clearly indicate that a payment deadline has been missed.

Common error

Avoid using "past due" when you mean something was simply due at an earlier time. "Past due" implies it remains unpaid or unfulfilled now. For instance, say "The assignment was due last week" rather than "The assignment was past due last week" if you only mean to indicate when it was due, not that it is still outstanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past due" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying nouns to indicate that something is overdue or has exceeded its expected time for completion. Ludwig provides examples of its use with bills, payments, and deadlines, confirming its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "past due" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that is overdue, especially in financial or formal contexts. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase sees frequent use in news and media, often concerning bills, payments, and deadlines. It's important to use "past due" when something is not just due at an earlier time, but remains outstanding. When writing, consider the context; alternatives like "overdue", "late", or "delinquent" might be suitable depending on the specific situation. Be mindful not to confuse it with a simple indication of when something was due, focusing instead on its current state of being unfulfilled.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overdue

Single word that carries the same meaning, indicating something is late.

late

A simpler, more direct term for something not on time.

outstanding

Emphasizes that something remains to be done or paid.

delinquent

Often used in financial contexts to describe payments that are behind schedule.

behind schedule

Focuses on the timeline aspect, indicating a delay.

in arrears

A formal term for being behind in payments.

unpaid

Highlights the fact that a payment hasn't been made.

unsettled

Similar to unpaid, referring to debts or accounts.

tardy

A more formal or old-fashioned way to say late.

delayed

General term for something being held up or postponed.

FAQs

How to use "past due" in a sentence?

You can use "past due" to describe bills, payments, or tasks that are overdue. For example, "Your rent is "past due"" or "The project deadline is "past due"".

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

"Past due" and "overdue" are often used interchangeably, both indicating that something is late. "Past due" might be more common in financial contexts, while "overdue" can apply more broadly.

What can I say instead of "past due"?

You can use alternatives like "late", "overdue", or "delinquent", depending on the context. For example, instead of "The bill is past due", you could say "The bill is "overdue"".

When is it appropriate to use "past due"?

It is appropriate to use "past due" when you want to clearly state that a payment, task, or deadline has not been met and is now late. It's particularly useful in formal or business contexts when discussing obligations.