due to + V1

[Lemon~Tree]

Hi. I've not understood why we use "due to" in that sentence. Could you explain it? If you give more examples related to this situation, I'll be very delighted.

~The plane is due to arrive from London at 14.30.

 

[Tarheel]

Say:

I don't understand why we use "due to" in the following sentence.

Many times there is no explanation for usage.

 

[GoesStation]

The plane is due to arrive from London at 14.30.

To be due + infinitive means to be expected to do something. Thus due to in your sentence is not the same as due to​ in phrases like "the company failed due to excessive spending."

 

[Lemon~Tree]

The plane is due to arrive from London at 14.30.

To be due + infinitive means to be expected to do something. Thus due to in your sentence is not the same as due to​ in phrases like "the company failed due to excessive spending."

Word due is an adjective here, right?

~ My father is due to arrive home. (Probably, he's at home now.)

~ She is due to pass the exam. (Probably, she has passed the exam.)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Yes, I would call them adjectives.

 

[Tarheel]

Word due is an adjective here, right?

~ My father is due to arrive home. (Probably, he's at home now.)

~ She is due to pass the exam. (Probably, she has passed the exam.)

If your father is due to arrive home that means he is not there at that time but that he is expected to arrive at some time.

The other one doesn't work at all.

 

[GoesStation]

In post #4 I wrote "To be due + infinitive means to be expected to do something." I can see that my definition was inadequate. It means that some event, already in progress or planned, is expected. For example, "the train is due to arrive at 5:30 this afternoon", "the train is due to arrive at 5:30 pm next Friday", etc. There is some uncertainty: the train might be delayed by a landslide or a strike. However, the planned and expected outcome is that the train will arrive at 5:30.

"She is due to pass the exam" doesn't work because passing is only one of two possible outcomes, either of which can normally follow from taking (or "sitting" in BrE) an exam.

 

[TheParser]

Could you explain it? If you give more examples related to this situation, I'll be very delighted.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


Hello, Lemon-Tree:

This is what my teachers and books have taught me. (I have made up the example sentences.)

1. Sorry, boss. My late arrival is due to heavy traffic.

a. "due" is an adjective.
b. "due" refers to "arrival."
c. "to heavy traffic" is a prepositional phrase that modifies (belongs to) "due."
d. That sentence is NOT a very natural way to express that idea.

2. Sorry, boss. I arrived late because of heavy traffic.

a. "because of" is a two-part preposition.
b. 'because of heavy traffic" is a prepositional phrase that modifies the verb "arrived." (Why did you arrive late?)

3. Sorry, Boss. I arrived late due to heavy traffic.

a. Many native speakers now use "due to" in the same way in which they use "because of."
b. Traditionally, sentence #3 was considered "incorrect."
c. In 2016, it seems to be used and approved by almost everyone.

I noticed a few years ago, for example, that one of the best American schools for adult ESL students accepts the use of "due to" in place of "because of."

 

[Tdol]

I noticed a few years ago, for example, that one of the best American schools for adult ESL students accepts the use of "due to" in place of "because of."

Most people don't bother with the distinction any more.