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When Do We Use “Due Diligence” In Writing And How?

When Do We Use “Due Diligence” In Writing And How?

“Due diligence” is a phrase you will likely come across as long as you write and communicate in the English language. While it is perfect to use words and phrases that best describe or express what you want to communicate, you must also take it upon yourself to fully understand the word or phrase and how to properly use it.

The phrase “due diligence” is referred to an investigation, review, or audit carried out to confirm the details or facts of a matter under consideration. An example of the use of “due diligence” is: you need to caution yourself and perform due diligence on all your prospective dealers.

We do not expect the process of learning words and phrases to be very smooth and easy. But, we will try as much as possible to simplify and make you have a clear understanding of the phrase “due diligence” in this article.

due diligence drawing

What Does The Phrase “Due Diligence” Mean?

The assurance you have to use a word or phrase well is how good your understanding of the word is. This means you will not fear that you will misuse the phrase because you understand everything about the word.

The foundational understanding of the phrase “due diligence” is the origin and the meaning. We will dive into these right now because this is an essential foundation you need to establish first.

When we talk about the meaning of the phrase “due diligence,” we are talking about the idea the phrase conveys when you use it in a sentence, which you infer when you come across the word.

So, what does the phrase “due diligence” mean? The phrase “due diligence” has a wide variety of meanings depending on how it is used.

The phrase “due diligence” refers to a reasonable action that a person is required to take so they can protect themselves, others, and their properties. An example would be: Jude failed to carry out due diligence in making efforts to avoid accidents.

It can also be referred to as the care a sensible or reasonable person shows to avoid danger or harm to their property or other people.

When the phrase “due diligence” is used in the financial sector, it means to examine financial records before finalizing a proposed agreement, contract, or transaction with another person.

It also means to go through public documents and files related to a company and engaging in conversations with people in the industry who have adequate knowledge of the company and its performance.

An example is: The panel set up to ascertain the company deals are always ready to demonstrate due diligence to the organization’s potential stakeholders.

The phrase “due diligence” also refers to the process of disclosing or gathering reliable and relevant information about a potential purchase, sales, or contract. It also means to investigate the current practices of policies and processes in an organization.

Another definition of “due diligence” is an examination conducted by asking some critical questions like how do we make a purchase, how do we make the payment, and how do we commence the acquisition process?

An alternate meaning of the phrase “due diligence” is the duty charged with the shipowner or captain to protect the passengers and the goods on his ship. This is the definition of “due diligence” when used in the transportation sector.

When you want to use the phrase “due diligence” in the legal sector, it refers to a process legally bound which allows a buyer to evaluate the liabilities and assets of an organization. It also refers to examining an organization’s numbers while making comparisons of the numbers over time and measuring them against competitors.

You could also use the phrase “due diligence” to refer to a certain level of care that is legally required and expected to be given by a person who recommends and provides professional advice.

Now that you fully understand the meaning of the phrase “due diligence” when used in different contexts, we will look at the phrase’s origin.

Since “due diligence” is a phrase rather than a word, we will look at the origin of the individual root words “due” and “diligence.”

The word “due” is derived from an old French word “deu,” the past participle of “devoir,” which is from the Latin word “debere” (meaning to owe).

And the word “diligence” is gotten from the Old French word “diligence” (which means attention or care). And it is also derived from the Latin word “diligentia” (meaning carefulness and attentiveness), in-turn from the word “diligentem,” the present participle adjective of “diligere.”

This is the origin of the root words of the phrase “due diligence.”

due dilligence word

Synonyms and Antonyms of the Phrase “Due Diligence”

We will now look at the synonyms and antonyms of the phrase “due diligence.”

So, what are the synonyms of the phrase “due diligence”?

  • Examination
  • Inspection
  • Analysis
  • Scrutiny
  • Review
  • Search
  • Audit
  • Caution
  • Meticulousness
  • Monitor
  • Precaution
  • Vigilance
  • Cautionary Measure
  • Check
  • Survey

Examples with “Due Diligence”

  1. There was a unanimous agreement by the jury that the lawyer had done his due diligence by preparing a proper case.
  2. It is advised that you first perform due diligence to ensure the investment you want to make will be a profitable one.
  3. The new landlord succeeded because he conducted due diligence on the requirements of being a landlord before putting up his apartment for rent.

Examples with the synonyms of “Due Diligence”

  1. There was a unanimous agreement by the jury that the lawyer had done his analysis by preparing a proper case.
  2. It is advised that you first perform scrutiny to ensure the investment you want to make will be a profitable one.
  3. The new landlord succeeded because he surveyed the landlord’s requirements before putting up his apartment for rent.

Now, we will be discussing the antonyms of the phrase “due diligence,” which includes:

  • Carelessness
  • Indifference
  • Idiocy
  • Nonchalance
  • Stupidity
  • Disinterest
  • Neglect
  • Lack of concern
  • Temerity
  • Presumption
  • Absent-minded
  • Apathy
  • Misjudge
  • Recklessness
  • Desperation

Examples with the antonyms of “Due Diligence”

  1. After being frustrated for several years with my son, I kicked him out for his recklessness as soon as he reached the legal age.
  2. Most of the students knew about the presumption that the cafeteria sells low-quality food and drinks.
  3. When Lisa heard that John was expelled, she showed complete indifference to his situation.
  4. His nonchalance to the news of his mother’s sickness made Dawn very angry with him.
  5. The idiocy of Peter and Paul made their mother very angry, and their father insults them daily.
  6. due diligence hand

How To Properly Use “Due Diligence” In A Sentence

Moving on, we will be giving a few pointers on how to properly use the phrase “due diligence” in a sentence.

The phrase “due diligence” is used when exercising proper attention and care to avoid committing an offense through ignorance. You refer to this meaning when you use the phrase “due diligence” in the legal sector.

You can also use the phrase “due diligence” when you are conducting a comprehensive assessment of a company to value the company’s commercial worth. You use the phrase when you investigate the assets and liabilities of an organization.

Over the years, there have been many changes in the use of the phrase “due diligence,” it was first used in the legal and business sector but has now become a part of the general vocabulary.

The phrase “due diligence” is now being used as a synonym of the expression “comparison shopping,” which means to compare similar services or products offered by different sellers so you can get the best value at the most reasonable price.

Lots of writers use the phrase “due diligence” as an alternate way of writing “to think things through,” “to shop around,” “to compare process,” or “to research a subject or topic.”

Illustrative Examples on how to use the phrase “Due Diligence”

Below are examples that help clarify the explanations on how to use the phrase “due diligence” correctly in a sentence.

  1. The organization’s managers are expected to perform due diligence to protect their employees and the resources of their organization.
  2. By failing to perform due diligence before making a purchase, you might end up regretting your choice.
  3. Some jury members were charged with performing due diligence by ensuring the order melted out by the judge was carried out effectively.
  4. Mark Zuckerberg affirmed that Facebook carried out their due diligence to ascertain the profitability of Instagram before acquiring the company.
  5. Many companies do not have the opportunity to perform due diligence on all their employees before employing them.
  6. A new survey has shown that most organizations are about to introduce enhanced due diligence for complex transactions.
  7. Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys need to perform due diligence before the case is tried in the courtroom.

You should find it very easy to use the phrase “due diligence” in a sentence with these examples provided.

Final Thoughts

All the confusion you might have had on using the phrase “due diligence” should have been cleared up in this article. In case it wasn’t you can always come back and do your “due diligence” so you are back to speed.