was due

USAGE SUMMARY

'was due' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was expected to happen at a particular time. For example: The train was due to arrive at 3pm, but it was delayed by an hour.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tuition was due.

The New York Times

Payment was due up front.

The New Yorker

She was due in August.

The New York Times

Respect was due.

The New York Times - Arts

By Tuesday, another redeployment was due.

The New York Times

Their baby was due in four months.

The New York Times - Books

"This consultation was due to resume today.

Independent

The difference was due to groundwater.

The New Yorker

It was due in eight days.

The New Yorker

Perhaps he was due for a makeover.

The New York Times - Books

Hurricane Irene was due that night.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was due" to clearly indicate that something was scheduled or expected to happen at a specific time. This helps provide clarity and manage expectations in your communication.

Common error

Avoid using "was due" when you mean "was caused by" or "was because of". "Was due" refers to a scheduled event, while "was because of" explains a cause-and-effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was due" functions as part of a verb phrase, indicating that something was scheduled or expected to happen at a specific time in the past. Ludwig provides many examples where "was due" is used in this way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Academia

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was due" effectively communicates that something was scheduled or anticipated at a specific time in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use "was due" to indicate scheduled events or obligations, and avoid confusing it with causal expressions like "was due to". Alternative phrases such as "was expected" or "was scheduled" can provide variety while maintaining clarity. The phrase's prevalence in authoritative sources indicates its reliability and widespread acceptance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was set to

Indicates a firm plan or intention for something to occur.

was scheduled

Emphasizes the planned nature of an event, differing in focus from obligation.

was expected

Highlights anticipation of an event, rather than an explicit deadline.

was supposed to

Indicates an arrangement or plan, possibly with a hint of non-fulfillment.

was obligated to

Focuses on the compulsory aspect, emphasizing duty rather than timing.

was required to

Highlights the necessity of an action, shifting the emphasis from time.

was imminent

Stresses the nearness of an event, removing the sense of scheduling.

was on the horizon

Implies that something is imminent or approaching.

was impending

Similar to 'imminent', but often carries a sense of foreboding or significance.

was approaching

Focuses on the act of nearing, rather than the expectation of an event.

FAQs

How to use "was due" in a sentence?

Use "was due" to indicate something was scheduled or expected. For instance, "The payment "was due" yesterday" or "The train "was due" at noon".

What can I say instead of "was due"?

You can use alternatives like "was scheduled", "was expected", or "was set to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was due" or "is due"?

"Was due" refers to a past expectation or schedule, while "is due" refers to a present or future one. For example, "The report "was due" last week" vs. "The report is due next week".

What's the difference between "was due to" and ""was due""?

"Was due to" explains a cause (e.g., "The delay "was due to" bad weather"), whereas "was due" indicates a scheduled event (e.g., "The concert "was due" to start at 8 PM").