due to

preposition

: as a result of : because of

due to the complaints of uptight parents … he lost his job

—Herbert Gold

Using Due to: Usage Guide

The objection to due to as a preposition is only a continuation of disagreements that began in the 18th century over the proper uses of owing and due. Due to is as grammatically sound as owing to, which is frequently recommended in its place. It has been and is used by reputable writers and has been recognized as standard for decades. There is no solid reason to avoid due to.

Synonyms

• because of
• owing to
• through
• with

Examples of due to in a Sentence

evening classes were cancelled due to heavy snow

Recent Examples on the Web

Some have yet to begin payments due to ongoing prison sentences. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 13 June 2024

Last week, Deters filed a legal petition to remove Massie from the ballot due to an issue with one of his signatories. —Jolene Almendarez, The Courier-Journal, 12 June 2024

But due to warmer air sitting just above ground level, branches and cables are not as cold as the concrete and asphalt below, so Melo said they’ll be spared this time around. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 12 June 2024

Arroyo was sentenced to 57 months last year and is due to be released in December 2025. —Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1897, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

due to

preposition

: because of