Due vs. Dues — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 14, 2024
"Due" refers to something owed or expected at a specific time, while "dues" are regular fees or charges paid by members of an organization.
Difference Between Due and Dues
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Due" is primarily used as an adjective or adverb, indicating that something is owed or expected, such as a payment or task completion by a certain date. On the other hand, "dues" function as a noun, referring to regular payments made to a club, union, or other groups, often to maintain membership.
Due can also convey suitability or appropriateness, as in "due consideration." In contrast, dues always pertain to payments or fees, focusing strictly on financial obligations within the context of membership and association upkeep.
In terms of application, "due" is widely used in contexts related to time, suitability, or direct correspondence (e.g., due north), whereas "dues" are specifically discussed within financial transactions or membership contexts, limiting its usage to such scenarios.
Due can imply consequence or right, such as in "give him his due," suggesting something deserved. Dues, conversely, suggest a shared financial responsibility among members of an organization, emphasizing the collective aspect of the term.
While "due" is singular and adjusts form (due, dues) depending on context, "dues" is used in its plural form to indicate multiple instances or periods of payment, reflecting its nature of regularity and continuity in financial commitments.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective, adverb
Noun
Meaning
Expected or scheduled (payment/time)
Membership fees
Usage Context
Time, appropriateness, direction
Financial, membership organizations
Implication
Rightfulness, expectation
Regular financial obligation
Form Variability
Singular ("due"), plural ("dues")
Typically plural
Compare with Definitions
Due
Expected or planned at a certain time.
The project is due next week.
Dues
Fees collected by a union from its members.
Union dues are deducted from their wages.
Due
Owed as a debt or as a right.
The final payment is due at the end of the month.
Dues
The cost of maintaining membership in a group.
Paying dues ensures access to all club facilities.
Due
Directly or exactly at a place or time.
He lives due north of the city.
Dues
Regular payments required to remain a member of an organization.
She pays her gym dues monthly.
Due
Deserved or merited.
Give credit where credit is due.
Dues
Financial obligations that contribute to collective benefits.
His dues contribute to both health coverage and pension plans.
Due
Appropriate or fitting.
He received due recognition for his efforts.
Dues
Charges that members pay for the benefits of an association.
The club raises its dues annually.
Due
Payable immediately or on demand.
Dues
Payable immediately or on demand.
Due
Owed as a debt; owing
The amount still due.
Dues
Owed as a debt; owing
The amount still due.
Due
In accord with right, convention, or courtesy; appropriate
Due esteem.
All due respect.
Dues
In accord with right, convention, or courtesy; appropriate
Due esteem.
All due respect.
Due
Meeting special requirements; sufficient
We have due cause to honor them.
Dues
Meeting special requirements; sufficient
We have due cause to honor them.
Due
Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive
Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
Dues
Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive
Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
Due
Expected to give birth.
Dues
Expected to give birth.
Due
Anticipated; looked for
A long due promotion.
Dues
Anticipated; looked for
A long due promotion.
Due
Expecting or ready for something as part of a normal course or sequence
We're due for some rain. This batter is due for another hit.
Dues
Expecting or ready for something as part of a normal course or sequence
We're due for some rain. This batter is due for another hit.
Due
Entitled to
I always give people the respect that they are due.
Dues
Entitled to
I always give people the respect that they are due.
Due
Capable of being attributed. See Usage Note at due to.
Dues
Capable of being attributed. See Usage Note at due to.
Due
Something owed or deserved
You finally received your due.
Dues
Something owed or deserved
You finally received your due.
Due
Dues A charge or fee for membership, as in a club or organization.
Dues
Dues A charge or fee for membership, as in a club or organization.
Due
Straight; directly
Go due west.
Dues
Straight; directly
Go due west.
Due
(Archaic) Duly.
Dues
(Archaic) Duly.
Due
Owed or owing.
He is due four weeks of back pay.
The amount due is just three quid.
The due bills total nearly seven thousand dollars.
He can wait for the amount due him.
Dues
Plural of due
Due
Appropriate.
With all due respect, you're wrong about that.
Dues
Membership fees.
Due
Scheduled; expected.
Rain is due this afternoon.
The train is due in five minutes.
When is your baby due?
Due
Having reached the expected, scheduled, or natural time.
The baby is just about due.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
The dangerously low water table is due to rapidly growing pumping.
Due
On a direct bearing, especially for the four points of the compass
The town is 5 miles due North of the bridge.
Due
(used with compass directions) Directly; exactly.
The river runs due north for about a mile.
Due
Deserved acknowledgment.
Give him his due — he is a good actor.
Due
(in plural dues) A membership fee.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done, duty.
Due
Right; just title or claim.
Due
Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable.
Due
Justly claimed as a right or property; proper; suitable; becoming; appropriate; fit.
Her obedience, which is due to me.
With dirges due, in sad array,Slow through the churchway path we saw him borne.
Due
Such as (a thing) ought to be; fulfilling obligation; proper; lawful; regular; appointed; sufficient; exact; as, due process of law; due service; in due time.
Due
Appointed or required to arrive at a given time; as, the steamer was due yesterday.
Due
Owing; ascribable, as to a cause.
This effect is due to the attraction of the sun.
Due
Directly; exactly; as, a due east course.
Due
That which is owed; debt; that which one contracts to pay, or do, to or for another; that which belongs or may be claimed as a right; whatever custom, law, or morality requires to be done; a fee; a toll.
He will give the devil his due.
Yearly little dues of wheat, and wine, and oil.
Due
Right; just title or claim.
The key of this infernal pit by due . . . I keep.
Due
To endue.
Due
That which is deserved or owed;
Give the devil his due
Due
A payment that is due (e.g., as the price of membership);
The society dropped him for non-payment of dues
Due
Owed and payable immediately or on demand;
Payment is due
Due
Proper and appropriate; fitting;
Richly deserved punishment
Due esteem
Due
Scheduled to arrive;
The train is due in 15 minutes
Due
Suitable to or expected in the circumstances;
All due respect
Due cause to honor them
A long due promotion
In due course
Due
Reasonable in the circumstances;
Gave my comments due consideration
Exercising due care
Due
Directly or exactly; straight;
Went due North
Common Curiosities
What does "due" mean?
"Due" refers to something expected or required at a specific time, or something that is rightfully owed to someone.
Can "due" be used as a noun?
Yes, "due" can be used as a noun, typically in the plural form "dues" to refer to regular payments.
What happens if dues are not paid on time?
Non-payment of dues can result in loss of membership privileges or additional late fees.
How are dues calculated?
Dues are often calculated based on the operational and membership costs of an organization and can vary annually.
Is there a difference in using "due" for time and "due" for direction?
The concept is similar—something expected or directly aligned, whether it refers to time or geographical direction.
Can dues increase annually?
Yes, organizations often adjust dues based on their financial needs or inflation rates.
What are "dues"?
"Dues" are the regular fees or charges paid by members to a club, organization, or union.
Why might someone be exempt from paying dues?
Exemptions can occur if the individual is in a hardship situation or if the organization offers special provisions for certain members.
Are dues tax-deductible?
Dues may be tax-deductible if paid to a professional organization where membership is necessary for employment.
What does "due course" mean?
"Due course" refers to the normal and expected course of events or a natural manner of proceeding.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
