Quick Definition
Due means expected to happen or arrive at a particular time (the report is due on Friday); owed as a debt or obligation (payment is now due); or, in the phrase due to, caused by or because of something (the delay was due to bad weather). As an adverb it also means directly in a compass direction (due north).
Etymology
Due comes from Old French deu, the past participle of devoir (to owe), itself derived from Latin debitus (owed), from debere (to owe or be indebted). The word entered English in the 14th century carrying the core sense of something that is rightfully owed. The same Latin root debere gives modern English debt, debit, and duty — all words that share the idea of obligation or what is rightfully required.
Example Sentences
| Sentence | Level | Usage note |
|---|---|---|
| The report is due on Friday afternoon. | A2 | due = expected by a deadline |
| My library books are due back tomorrow. | A2 | due = must be returned by a time |
| The flight is due to land at half past six. | B1 | due to + infinitive = scheduled to |
| The match was cancelled due to heavy rain. | B1 | due to = because of (cause) |
| We will inform all applicants of the outcome in due course. | B2 | in due course = at the appropriate time |
| With all due respect, I believe the data does not support that conclusion. | C1 | with due respect = polite disagreement formula |
Common Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| due to | The delay was due to a signalling fault. |
| due date | Make a note of the due date for each assignment. |
| in due course | We will respond in due course. |
| overdue | This review is long overdue. |
| due respect | With due respect, that argument is flawed. |
| due diligence | Investors must carry out due diligence before committing. |
| due north / south / east / west | Head due north for two miles. |
| payment due | The final payment is due on the 30th. |
| due consideration | After due consideration, the committee rejected the proposal. |
| become due | The invoice will become due in thirty days. |
Usage Notes
- Deadline sense: When due means expected or required by a certain time, it normally follows a linking verb: The essay is due next Monday. You can also say someone or something is due to do something: She is due to arrive at noon.
- Due to vs because of: Traditionally, due to should follow a linking verb and modify a noun (the failure was due to poor planning), while because of modifies a verb (we failed because of poor planning). In modern British English, due to is widely accepted in both positions, but in formal writing, keeping the traditional rule is safer.
- Compass direction: As an adverb, due means exactly or directly: due east, due west. This use is limited to directions and does not extend to other senses.
- In due course: This formal phrase means at the right or expected time, without undue haste or delay. It is very common in official letters and business English as a polite way of saying something will happen eventually.
- Due diligence: In legal and business contexts, due diligence is a fixed phrase meaning the thorough investigation required before entering a contract or making an investment. Do not confuse it with general careful behaviour.
Common Mistakes
Watch Out For
We were late due to we missed the bus.
We were late because we missed the bus. (due to is followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a clause)
The project failed due to we didn’t have enough time.
The project failed due to a lack of time. / The project failed because we didn’t have enough time.
She is due arrive at three.
She is due to arrive at three. (due to + infinitive requires to)
Related Words
Practise This Word
Frequently Asked Questions about “due”
What does due mean in English?
Due has three main meanings. First, it means expected at a particular time: ‘The train is due at 9 o’clock.’ Second, it means owed as a payment or obligation: ‘The rent is due on the first of the month.’ Third, in the phrase ‘due to’, it means because of or caused by: ‘The delay was due to heavy traffic.’
What is the difference between due to and because of?
Traditionally, ‘due to’ should follow a linking verb and modify a noun (‘the cancellation was due to rain’), while ‘because of’ modifies a verb (‘we cancelled because of rain’). In modern British English, however, ‘due to’ is widely accepted in both positions. In formal or academic writing, keeping the traditional distinction is advisable.
How do you use due in a sentence?
As an adjective meaning expected: ‘The report is due on Friday.’ As an adjective meaning owed: ‘Payment is now due.’ In the phrase due to: ‘The match was postponed due to poor weather.’ In the phrase in due course: ‘We will respond in due course.’ In the phrase with due respect: ‘With all due respect, I disagree.’
What does in due course mean?
‘In due course’ means at the appropriate or expected time in the future, without unnecessary delay but without rushing. It is a formal phrase used in official correspondence and business English: ‘Your application will be reviewed in due course.’ It reassures the reader that something will happen, though no exact time is given.
Is due to formal or informal?
‘Due to’ meaning ‘because of’ is used in both formal and informal contexts in British English. It appears frequently in formal writing (‘the project was delayed due to budget constraints’), news reports, and everyday speech. ‘Owing to’ is a slightly more formal alternative that is always grammatically safe.
What is the difference between due and overdue?
Due means expected or required at a particular time. Overdue means past that deadline — it should already have happened or been paid. ‘The library book was due last Tuesday; now it is overdue.’ Overdue can also describe something that should have happened long ago: ‘That pay rise is long overdue.’
Can due be used as an adverb?
Yes. Due is used as an adverb in directional phrases such as ‘due north’, ‘due south’, ‘due east’, and ‘due west’. These mean exactly or directly in that compass direction: ‘The island lies due west of the mainland.’ This adverbial use is distinct from the adjective senses meaning expected or owed.
What does with all due respect mean?
‘With all due respect’ is a polite phrase used before disagreeing with someone or challenging their view. It softens what might otherwise sound blunt or confrontational. Despite its polite framing, it often signals that a criticism or disagreement follows: ‘With all due respect, I think your figures are incorrect.’
What is the origin of the word due?
Due comes from Old French ‘deu’ (past participle of ‘devoir’, to owe), derived from Latin ‘debitus’ (owed), from ‘debere’ (to owe). It entered English in the 14th century. The same Latin root gives us ‘debt’, ‘debit’, and ‘duty’. The phrase ‘in due course’ has been in use since at least the 16th century.
How can I practise using due in English?
Try LexFizz’s Complete the Sentence exercise to practise due and its common collocations (due to, due date, in due course) in context. The Flash Cards tool is useful for testing vocabulary including related words such as debt, duty, and overdue. Practising with authentic texts such as formal letters and news articles will also help you see due used naturally.