Overdue for Dummies

Overdue is a word we often use to talk about something that should have happened or been done earlier, but for some reason, it hasn't. Imagine if you borrowed a book from the library and didn't return it on time. When the due date passed, you would say that the book is overdue. It's like when you promised to do your homework, but you didn't finish it on time. Your teacher could say that your homework is overdue.

We can also use the word "overdue" to talk about something that is late in relation to a deadline or a schedule. For example, if you have a project due on Friday and you didn't finish it by then, you would say that it's overdue. It's similar to when you're waiting for a package to arrive, but it's taking longer than expected. You might say that the package is overdue.

Think of "overdue" as an imaginary line that marks the limit of when something was supposed to happen or be completed. If it crosses that line and goes beyond it, we can say it's overdue. It's like when you're playing a game and there's a finish line. If you pass that finish line, you're no longer within the expected time. The same idea applies to "overdue."

Now, let's talk about the second definition of "overdue." Sometimes, we use this word to talk about something that is needed or expected to happen, but it hasn't yet. Imagine if you're expecting a phone call from a friend, but they haven't called you yet. You might say that the call is overdue. It's like when there's a party that was supposed to start at a specific time but hasn't started yet. You could say that the party is overdue.

So, "overdue" can mean something that is late in terms of time compared to a deadline or expectation. It can also mean something that is needed or expected but hasn't happened yet. It's like when you're waiting for a bus, and it's taking longer than usual. You might say that the bus is overdue. The word "overdue" helps us express the idea that something is late or overdue in relation to a specific time or expectation.