that was overdue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was overdue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was delayed or not completed by the expected time. Example: "The report was submitted yesterday, but it was that was overdue by two weeks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"We went, 'What if the book that was overdue was in the homeless guy's car?

The New Yorker

The goal, at the start, was simple: to restore a heavily used runway that was overdue for a spruce-up.

The New York Times

Even if he showed his blind side in that one respect, this was a fine Armani display of realism and beauty (Gosh, a pantsuit unaccompanied by a funny hat!) that was overdue.

The New York Times

But he has opened a debate that was overdue at the top level.The chancellor knows he must be careful not to let Germany be seen, once again, as the neighbourhood bully.

The Economist

October 14, 2013 Nicholas Dunbar (@nicholasdunbar) I assumed that Fama already had a Nobel economics prize, so that was overdue October 14, 2013 Justin Wolfers (@justinwolfers) Y'know what's awesome?

The Guardian - Business

That's another step that was overdue.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

But it's an adjustment that's overdue.

The New York Times

"It's something that is overdue but nevertheless very welcome".

The New York Times

"A dialogue that is overdue since very long".

The Guardian

"Will at some point they decide to expand the data base and the use of this program to include things like library books that are overdue, or other kinds of taxes that are overdue?" she asked.

The New York Times

"This is an upgrade that's overdue," said Norio Usui, country economist for the Philippines at the Asian Development Bank, which is based in Manila.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was overdue" to emphasize that something should have occurred earlier, creating a sense of expectation or mild criticism of the delay.

Common error

Avoid using "that was overdue" when discussing events where timing isn't a factor. This phrase implies a missed deadline or expectation, so ensure the context warrants its use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was overdue" functions as a comment or evaluation of a situation or event. It indicates that something should have happened earlier than it did. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is perfectly acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was overdue" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey that something should have happened earlier. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. It's suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media, and expresses a sense of belatedness or delayed expectation. While alternatives like "that was past due" or "that was long-awaited" exist, "that was overdue" maintains its distinct emphasis on missed timing. When using this phrase, ensure the context involves a tangible delay or unmet expectation to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was past due

Replaces "overdue" with "past due", maintaining the sense of something not done by the expected time.

that was belated

Emphasizes the lateness of the event, highlighting that it happened after the appropriate time.

that was long-awaited

Focuses on the anticipation before the event, adding a sense of expectation.

that was a long time coming

Emphasizes the length of the wait, expressing that the event was highly anticipated and delayed.

that was behind schedule

Indicates a delay in a planned sequence of events or tasks.

that was high time

Highlights the urgency and appropriateness of the event happening finally.

that was eventually delivered

Focuses on the fact that it eventually happened, implying a previous delay.

that was critically needed

Expresses that it was necessary or essential. Adding emphasis on its importance

that was time to

States it was the right moment or opportune time for something.

that was timely

While it recognizes the delay, it states that what happened was well-timed.

FAQs

How can I use "that was overdue" in a sentence?

You can use "that was overdue" to express that something should have happened sooner. For example, "The software update was released today, but "that was overdue" by several months".

What are some alternatives to saying "that was overdue"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that was past due", "that was long-awaited", or "that was belated", each carrying a slightly different nuance related to timing and expectation.

Is it correct to say "that is overdue" instead of "that was overdue"?

Both "that is overdue" and "that was overdue" are correct, but they refer to different time frames. "That is overdue" implies something is currently late, while "that was overdue" refers to something that was late in the past but has since occurred or been resolved.

What's the difference between "that was overdue" and "that was necessary"?

"That was overdue" indicates something should have happened earlier, focusing on timing. "That was necessary", on the other hand, emphasizes the importance or essential nature of something, regardless of when it occurred. While something overdue might also be necessary, the phrases highlight different aspects.