they are due

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are due" is correct and usable in written English.
It is most often used to mean that something has reached a particular time or point in its development, progress, or life cycle. For example: "These reports are due by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But they are due.

The Guardian - Sport

They are due June 6.

Stanford University

They are due to arrive soon.

The New York Times

They are due out in April , 1996

University of California, Berkeley

They are due to stand trial on 16 November.

The Guardian

They are due to meet in London on Saturday.

The Guardian

"They think they are due," Ms. Fishman said.

The New York Times

They are due back 17 days later, on Jan . 12

The New York Times

"They are due to what's happening in the U.S".

The New York Times

They are due to arrive the following day.

The Guardian - Books

They are due to take effect from July next year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are due" to indicate a scheduled event, a required action, or an expected arrival. It clearly communicates anticipation or obligation.

Common error

Avoid using "they are due" when referring to inanimate subjects in contexts where scheduling or obligation doesn't apply. Instead, opt for more descriptive phrasing. Example: Instead of "the malfunction is due to aging," say "the malfunction results from aging."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are due" functions as a predicative expression indicating an obligation, expectation, or scheduled event. Examples found by Ludwig confirm its use in various contexts from arrivals to deadlines, showing that something is required or anticipated.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are due" is a common and versatile expression used to indicate that something is expected, scheduled, or obligated to occur. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and business. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended context and subject matter to effectively communicate the expectation or obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are scheduled

Emphasizes the planned aspect, highlighting that the event is part of a timetable.

they are expected

Highlights anticipation, focusing on the belief that something will occur.

they will arrive

Focuses specifically on arrival, removing the implication of obligation or scheduling.

they are required

Emphasizes the necessity of the action or event, making it a requirement.

they are obligated

Stresses the compulsory nature of the event or action, emphasizing a duty.

they are slated

Highlights the informal, or colloquial sense of scheduling or planning.

they must be submitted

Specifically refers to submission, often in a formal or academic context.

they are bound

Highlights the obligation or constraint associated to the subject.

they need to be paid

Deals explicitly with payments, shifting the focus to a financial obligation.

they are programmed

Highlights that the subject has been pre-planned in a programmed way, often used in the context of computers or automated tasks.

FAQs

How can I use "they are due" in a sentence?

You can use "they are due" to indicate that something is expected or scheduled to happen. For example, "The reports "they are due" on Friday" or "The guests "they are due" to arrive any minute".

What's the difference between "they are due" and "they are overdue"?

"They are due" indicates something is expected or scheduled. "They are overdue" signifies that something was expected at a previous time but has not yet happened or arrived.

Can "they are due" be used for both people and things?

Yes, "they are due" can be used for both people and things, as long as the context implies a schedule or expectation. For example, "The performers "they are due" on stage now" (people) or "The payments "they are due" next week" (things).

What are some similar phrases to "they are due"?

Similar phrases include "they are expected", "they are scheduled", or "they are obligated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.