long overdue

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Needing to happen or be done much earlier than now, because it has been delayed too long.

   Grammar: Most often comes after be (The reform is long overdue) or before a noun (a long overdue apology).

   Patterns

   • be long overdue
   • a long overdue change
   • long overdue for something

   After ten years of complaints, a new bus route is long overdue.

   The team gave their coach a long overdue thank-you dinner.

   The library is long overdue for a fresh coat of paint.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Of a library book or borrowed item: kept far past the date it should have been returned.

   Grammar: Used mainly with library items; 'overdue' alone is the usual everyday form.

   Patterns

   • be long overdue
   • a long overdue book

   This novel is two months long overdue, so I have to pay a fine.

   She found three long overdue books under her bed.

Common combinations

long overdue reform

The report calls for long overdue reform of the tax system.

long overdue recognition

The scientist finally received long overdue recognition for her work.

long overdue apology

He offered a long overdue apology to his old friend.

be long overdue for something

This old laptop is long overdue for an upgrade.

a long overdue change

Flexible hours were a long overdue change for the staff.

Synonyms and how they differ

overdue

Shorter and more neutral; 'long overdue' adds the idea that the delay has been very noticeable and annoying.

belated

Describes something that comes late but is still welcome, such as a belated birthday card; it does not carry the same sense of blame.

past due

Mostly used for payments and deadlines, and sounds more official than 'long overdue.'

Opposites

Word family

overdue adjective

Not done or paid by the expected time.

overdue adverb

Rarely used; the usual adverb is 'overdue' in phrases like 'two days overdue.'

Commonly confused: long overdue or overdo?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “long overdue”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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