were due to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were due to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to attribute the cause of a certain event or circumstance to something else. For example: The delays in receiving the goods were due to the severe weather conditions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Two more were due to vote late this week.

The Economist

"We were due to put one together.

The New York Times - Sports

"These incidents were due to human error.

The Guardian - Tech

The streaking Devils were due to lose and the slumping Penguins were due to win.

The New York Times - Sports

The city's schools were due to stay closed on Wednesday.

The Guardian

ON Tuesday, May 14, the eggs were due to hatch.

The New York Times

"These incidents were due to human error," said a statement.

The Guardian - Opinion

We were due to fly from Gatwick to Faro.

The Guardian - Money

Portable toilets were due to arrive on Thursday.

The Guardian

The accounts were due to be released on 17 February.

The Guardian - Business

We were due to go there this afternoon!

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were due to", ensure the sentence clearly identifies both the effect and its cause to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were due to" when the relationship between the cause and effect is speculative or unverified; instead, use phrases like "might be due to" or "could be attributed to" to indicate uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were due to" functions as a causal connector, linking an event or situation to its cause or reason. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively attributes outcomes to specific factors. This aligns with examples where delays, deaths, or other events are explained by identifiable causes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

44%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were due to" is a versatile causal connector used to attribute events or situations to specific causes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various writing styles. It is frequently found in news, media, and scientific contexts, making it a common and reliable way to express causation. When using this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the cause-and-effect relationship is evident to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "were caused by" or "were a result of" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resulted from

A direct synonym for 'were a result of', focusing on the outcome of a cause.

were caused by

Focuses specifically on causation, highlighting the reason behind an event.

were a result of

Emphasizes the outcome or consequence of a particular action or situation.

were on account of

A more formal way of saying 'because of', indicating a reason or justification.

were attributed to

Highlights the act of assigning a cause or reason to something.

stemmed from

Suggests an origin or root cause from which something developed.

were expected because of

Combines expectation with a stated reason or cause.

arose from

Similar to 'stemmed from', indicating the beginning or emergence of something due to a cause.

were scheduled for

Shifts the focus from causation to a planned or expected occurrence.

were planned for

Similar to 'were scheduled for' but emphasizes the intentionality of the planning.

FAQs

How can I use "were due to" in a sentence?

Use "were due to" to indicate the cause of something. For example, "The flight delays "were due to" bad weather" shows that the weather caused the delays.

What are some alternatives to "were due to"?

Alternatives include "were caused by", "were a result of", or "were attributed to", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "were due to" in formal writing?

Yes, "were due to" is generally appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the phrasing is clear and unambiguous. Consider using more formal alternatives like "were on account of" in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "were due to" and "were scheduled for"?

"Were due to" indicates causation, explaining why something happened. "Were scheduled for" indicates a planned event or expectation, not necessarily a cause. For example, "The meeting "was scheduled for" Tuesday" implies a plan, while "The cancellation "was due to" a conflict" explains the reason.