were due to open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were due to open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was scheduled or expected to open at a certain time in the past. Example: "The new shopping mall were due to open last month, but the construction delays pushed the date back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

We had 10 days before we were due to open.

The Guardian

Monday's proceedings were due to open with a final rebuttal from Knox's lawyer, Luciano Ghirga.

The Guardian

Peace talks between government and rebels were due to open in South Africa.

The Economist

Nine days before we were due to open, he fired Lynn Dearth, who was playing the lead, Marlene.

The Guardian

An earlier version said 15 Netto stores were due to open by the end of this year.

The Guardian - Business

Three airports in the west of the country - Shannon, Galway and Knock - were due to open at 8am.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Fifteen more are due to open this year.

The Economist

Her inquest is due to open next week.

The Guardian

It is due to open next year.

The New York Times - Sports

It is due to open later this month.

The Guardian

It is due to open in 2018.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were due to open" to clearly indicate a past expectation or scheduled event that was supposed to commence at a specific time. Ensure that the subject logically aligns with the action of opening, such as "shops", "airports", or "events".

Common error

Avoid using "were due to open" when referring to future events. For future plans, use "are due to open" or "will be due to open" instead. For example, say "The exhibit is due to open next week" instead of "The exhibit were due to open next week".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were due to open" functions as a past descriptive phrase indicating a scheduled or expected opening of something. It typically modifies a noun, specifying a planned event in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were due to open" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that something was scheduled or expected to open at a certain time in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is plural and that the tense aligns with a past event. For future openings, use "are due to open" or "will be due to open" instead. Remember, its implications refer to what was supposed to happen based on a schedule, not necessarily what ultimately occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were scheduled to open

Replaces "due" with "scheduled", emphasizing a planned event.

were set to open

Replaces "due" with "set", implying a state of readiness or preparation.

were expected to open

Substitutes "due" with "expected", highlighting anticipation rather than a firm plan.

were supposed to open

Uses "supposed" instead of "due", suggesting an expectation or obligation.

were slated to open

Uses "slated" instead of "due", implying a formal listing or scheduling.

were planned to open

Replaces "due" with "planned", focusing on the planning stage.

had been scheduled to open

Adds "had been" to emphasize a past scheduling that may or may not have occurred.

were programmed to open

Emphasizes a predetermined or automated schedule.

were timed to open

Highlights precise timing and coordination of the opening.

were on track to open

Indicates progress and alignment with the original opening schedule.

FAQs

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

Use "were due to open" to describe something that was scheduled or expected to open in the past. For example: "The new subway lines "were due to open" in two years."

What's a good alternative for "were due to open"?

Alternatives include "were scheduled to open", "were expected to open", or "were set to open". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was due to open" instead of "were due to open"?

The verb form depends on the subject. Use "was due to open" for singular subjects (e.g., "The airport was due to open") and "were due to open" for plural subjects (e.g., "The airports "were due to open"").

What does "were due to open" imply?

"Were due to open" implies that an event, location, or service had a predetermined or scheduled opening date in the past. It doesn't necessarily mean the opening actually happened, just that it was planned.