This post’s existence is due to confusion owing to the confusion between due to and owing to…
Well, let’s get one thing straight before we go any further. The argument as to whether ‘due to’ or ‘owing to’ should be used is, in my humble opinion, one that should no longer exist. Even my very old Collins Dictionary and Thesaurus (at least twenty years old) acknowledges the changes in meaning: yet to this day controversy exists with particular regard to the use of ‘due to’.
A correct example given in my up-to-date edition of the Collins Writer’s Thesaurus of the English Language is:
The late arrival of the 10.15 train from Guildford is due to snow on the lines.
This is correct as ‘due to’ acts as an adjective modifying the noun ‘arrival’.
Still with me?
However, to say: The trains are running late due to snow on the lines is incorrect because ‘due to’ is not modifying any particular noun.
Most linguists accept that, with regard to this rule, there has been an inevitable acceptance that the terms ‘owing to’ and ‘due to’ are interchangeable. Our language is evolving all the time and many words and phrases have meanings today that differ from their original definitions: pretty, cute and clown being just a few. However, purists still abound so it’s not a bad idea to be acquainted with the rule, even if you intend to break it (as do I).
So, if you’re writing and you can’t see that ‘due to’ is describing a noun, use ‘owing to’. Then again, just use ‘because of’: it’s so much easier!
Are these ‘correct’?
Tomorrow’s meeting is to discuss the finance problems we have due to overspending in your department.
I apologise for missing the finance meeting: I was late due to the weather.
You are fired due to spending company funds on Little Chef breakfasts. And for missing the finance meeting to discuss this issue.
Fred has diarrhoea due to the Little Chef breakfast he had when he should have been at the finance meeting.
Answers: do you really give a toss?