were due

USAGE SUMMARY

"were due" is a valid and usable phrasing in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that was expected to occur, but didn't. For example, "The results of the experiment were due tomorrow, but they have not yet been released."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We were due one".

The Economist

We were due.

The New York Times

Their proposals were due in September.

The New York Times

(Ballots were due on Aug. 30).

The New York Times

These were due on Monday, July 5th.

The Economist

Bids were due this week, they added.

The New York Times

Essays were due Monday morning.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

They were due Jan . 7

The Washington Post

They were due last September.

The Guardian - Business

Perhaps we were due a stinker.

The Guardian - Sport

"We were due to put one together.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were due" to clearly indicate that something was expected at a specific time or as a result of something else. Ensure the context makes it clear what was expected and why.

Common error

Avoid using "were due" when you intend to describe a general trend or correlation without a direct causal link. For direct causation, it is best to use "were caused by", while for general trends, stick to descriptions like "were linked to" or "were correlated with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were due" primarily functions as a verbal phrase indicating expectation or obligation. It signifies that something was scheduled, expected, or caused by something else. Ludwig AI confirms this common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were due" is a versatile verbal phrase signifying expectation, obligation, or causality. It is grammatically correct and very common, according to Ludwig, appearing frequently in news, academic, and business contexts. While generally neutral in register, its precise meaning shifts depending on the context, ranging from scheduled events to causal explanations. To prevent misunderstanding, ensure the context clearly indicates the expectation, schedule, or cause. Avoid using it for general trends without a direct causal link. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples that confirm its widespread and varied use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were expected

This alternative focuses on the anticipation of an event or obligation, similar to "were due".

were scheduled

Highlights the planned nature of an event, emphasizing the time aspect also conveyed by "were due".

were supposed to

Implies an agreement or arrangement, which aligns with the sense of obligation in "were due".

were anticipated

Emphasizes the expectation or prediction of an event, rather than an obligation.

were slated

This alternative underscores the formal scheduling of something, aligning with the planned aspect of "were due".

were liable

Shifts the focus to legal or financial obligations, a specific type of "were due".

were attributable to

Highlights the cause or reason behind an event, linking it to a specific origin.

were a result of

Indicates a consequence or outcome, emphasizing the relationship between cause and effect.

were on the verge of

Conveys the imminence of an event, highlighting its closeness in time.

were on track to

Suggests progress toward a planned outcome, aligning with the scheduled sense of "were due".

FAQs

How is "were due" used in a sentence?

"Were due" indicates that something was expected to happen or be provided at a specific time. For example, "The payments "were due" on Friday" means the payments should have been made by Friday.

What are some alternatives to "were due"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "were expected", "were scheduled", or "were attributable to".

When is it appropriate to use "were due" versus "were caused by"?

"Were due" implies an expectation or scheduled event, whereas "were caused by" indicates a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Use ""were due"" for scheduled events and "were caused by" for reasons and causes.

How does the meaning of "were due" change based on the context?

The meaning can shift between expectation (e.g., "The guests "were due" to arrive"), obligation (e.g., "Taxes "were due" in April"), and causation (e.g., "The delays "were due" to the storm").