what is overdue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is overdue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when inquiring about something that has not been completed or submitted by the expected time. Example: "Can you tell me what is overdue on the project?" Alternative expressions include "what is late" and "what is past due."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What is overdue however is a commitment from all Americans - government, media, and people - to condemn all acts of terror with the same strength and vigor and without favoritism to faith or political affiliation.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But what is desperately overdue is a recalibration of what women are worth.

Independent

Egg-laying hens may eventually get what is long overdue: enlarged cage space (144 square inches for each bird compared with the current 67 ) — even perches, and scratching and nesting areas that allow the birds to express natural behavior.

The New York Times

Whether by the mass media interview shows or on the daily campaign trail, citizen activists and citizen group leaders are rarely asked for their views, for their experience, for their horizons as to what is long overdue and possible.

Huffington Post

This is what it is: overdue.

The Guardian - Sport

Speaking of which, what is the most overdue earthquake zone on the planet today?

Forbes

For anyone who has been at the receiving end of bots — whether it be spam or more serious incidents such as harassment — Twitter's move to restrict what is possible is long overdue.

TechCrunch

Dylan fans can finally shelve their copies of "Hard Rain" (along with all their bootlegs of the era) and listen to what is, 27 years later, a long-overdue document of his legendary Rolling Thunder Revue.

The New York Times - Arts

What is driving this long-overdue trend?

Huffington Post

While we need our campaign to keep up the pressure on the global stage, what is vital to the long overdue success for reducing maternal mortality will be the work that is done at the national level, where the grassroots at the bottom and the global activity at the top meet to turn policy in to a living reality for families and communities.

Huffington Post

A lot of what is happening right now is long overdue.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is overdue", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is. For example, instead of just asking "What is overdue?", specify "What payment is overdue?".

Common error

Avoid using "what is overdue" without clearly defining the subject. Ambiguity can lead to confusion. Always specify what you are referring to, like "what report is overdue" instead of just "what is overdue?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is overdue" functions as an interrogative phrase used to inquire about pending tasks, payments, or items that have not been completed or submitted by the expected time. Ludwig AI indicates this usage aligns with standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what is overdue" is a grammatically sound interrogative phrase used to inquire about items that have exceeded their deadline. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not exceedingly common, it's used across diverse contexts, including news, business, and general communication. When using it, ensure the context is clear and specify the subject to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "what is past due" or "what's outstanding" can be suitable substitutes depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

What is past due

Another way to say "overdue", with a focus on the due date.

What is late

Uses a simpler term, "late", instead of "overdue".

What's outstanding

Replaces "overdue" with "outstanding", focusing on the uncompleted aspect.

What is still pending

Focuses on the pending or unresolved nature of something.

What is behind schedule

Highlights that something is not on time.

What's not yet completed

Emphasizes the lack of completion rather than the lateness.

What remains to be done

Highlights the remaining tasks.

What hasn't been submitted

Specifically addresses the lack of submission.

What's the delay

Shifts the focus to the reason for the lateness.

What is outstanding and requires attention

Expands on "outstanding" to emphasize the need for immediate action.

FAQs

How can I use "what is overdue" in a sentence?

You can use "what is overdue" to inquire about pending tasks or items. For example: "What tasks are overdue on this project?" or "What payments are overdue this month?"

What's a less formal way to ask "what is overdue"?

Informally, you could ask "what's late". For example, instead of "What assignments are overdue?", you might say "What assignments are late?"

What is the difference between "what is overdue" and "what is pending"?

"What is overdue" refers specifically to items that have passed their deadline, while "what is pending" refers to items that are waiting for completion or approval, regardless of whether the deadline has passed. "What is overdue" implies a sense of urgency.

Are there any synonyms for "what is overdue" in a professional setting?

In a professional context, alternatives such as "what's outstanding" or "what is past due" can be used to inquire about pending tasks or payments.