"Due to," maligned, abused and (some say) misused

[redactor]

Since we're resurrecting old debates, I want to bring up one that mystifies me. I do not understand the passionate opposition to "due to" as a preposition.

I'm persuaded the debate against it altogether is a mere matter of preference rooted in misunderstanding some English teacher, so I'm less concerned with that.

The preposition, though, is opposed because "due" was first an adjective. That raises some problems.

The thinking then is that it must follow "to be" so it remains an adjective. I get that, but even as an adjective, it could work in this example: "Due (or attributable) to the error, the delay caused grave trouble." This could still mean "attributable to," even though it would be confusing. "Due" modifies "delay," so the error was attributable to the delay. With "because of," the error is the direct source of the trouble. I'd never write such a sentence, for the same reason I think "due to" opponents teach its use only with "to be." Readers would otherwise invariably take "due to" as "because of," not "attributable to." That alone says just how much usage overwhelms this "error." That we "correct" it where it could legitimately mean "attributable to" says a lot, too. Love to know how many of us are dialing up reporters for clarity.

Also, there's no rule that prevents an adjective from eventually forming a preposition. "Due to" as a preposition is ancient, vastly predates the argument against it and is present in dictionaries and works of all types. Here's the biggest problem: Several prepositions, all unchallenged, began as adjectives. "According to," "contrary to," "prior to," "appropos of," "down," "opposite," "next to," "regardless of," "independent of," "apart from," and "close to" all derive from adjectives, but we use them as prepositions, defying the "due to" logic.

I look askance at "due to" opponents, just as I do with opponents of dangling prepositions, who, of course, never ask, "From where are you?" We all have our ways, though.

To me, this is more a style issue than a grammatical one, though this debate will rage. "Due to" is an excellent headline word, I will say.