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due

adj. · adv. · n.
US //ˈdju// UK //djˈuː// due
  1. 1 expected or scheduled (adj.)
    A2 Elementary

    expected to happen or arrive at a particular time.

    expected or scheduled to occur or arrive at a specific time.

    Example

    The baby is due in early October, so they are preparing the nursery now.

    Example

    The final report is due on the director's desk by Friday afternoon, leaving the team very little time for final revisions.

    Usage

    Often followed by 'to' + infinitive or 'on/in' + time phrase.
  2. 2 caused by (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    caused by something or because of something.

    ascribable to a specific cause or origin; used in the phrase 'due to'.

    Example

    The flight delay was due to bad weather at the airport.

    Example

    The sudden increase in share prices was largely due to speculation regarding a potential merger between the two tech giants.

    Usage

    Always followed by the preposition 'to'.

    Teacher's tip

    In formal writing, some traditionalists prefer 'due to' only after a form of the verb 'to be', but it is widely used as a prepositional phrase in modern English.
    Pitfall
    The game was cancelled due to it rained.
    The game was cancelled due to the rain.

    The phrase 'due to' must be followed by a noun or noun phrase, not a full clause with a verb.

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  1. 3 owed (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    owed to someone as a debt or a right.

    owed as a debt or as a moral or legal obligation.

    Example

    The library sent a notice because the payment for the lost book was due.

    Example

    After months of legal disputes, the court ruled that the back wages were due to the employees immediately.
  2. 4 appropriate (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

    the right amount of something for a situation.

    proper, adequate, or appropriate for the circumstances.

    Example

    Please make sure you handle the equipment with due care.

    Example

    The committee reached its decision after due consideration of all the evidence presented during the hearing.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
  3. 5 directly (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    directly or exactly in a certain direction, usually North, South, East, or West.

    directly or exactly; used almost exclusively with compass points.

    Example

    The ship sailed due north toward the Arctic Circle.

    Example

    To find the hidden entrance, the hikers had to travel due east for three miles from the old oak tree.

    Usage

    Always precedes a direction word.
  4. 6 membership fees (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    money that you pay regularly to be a member of a group or club.

    regular payments made by members to an organisation or club to support its activities.

    Example

    I forgot to pay my annual union dues this month.

    Example

    The club's board of directors voted to increase monthly dues to cover the rising costs of building maintenance.

    Usage

    Almost always used in the plural form.

    Teacher's tip

    In British English, 'subscriptions' or 'subs' is more common for clubs, though 'dues' is understood in a union context.
  5. 7 deserved respect (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    the respect or credit that someone deserves.

    that which is deserved or merited, especially in terms of recognition or respect.

    Example

    She is a tough boss, but you have to give her her due; she gets results.

    Example

    While I disagree with his politics, I must give him his due for his tireless work on behalf of his constituents.

    Usage

    Commonly used in the idiom 'give someone their due'.

    Teacher's tip

    This is often used when you are about to say something negative but want to acknowledge one positive point first.
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