At an earlier date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "At an earlier date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific time in the past when something occurred or was scheduled to occur. Example: "The meeting was originally planned for an earlier date, but it has been postponed to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

At an earlier date (961) the margrave Gero had the church of St. Cyriacus built at Gernrode.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At an earlier date, Pool House was home to Osgood Mackenzie, the man who laid out the famous Inverewe Garden just to the north.

The New York Times - Travel

At an earlier date Frank Gehry, Richard Rogers and Zaha Hadid designed some of the centre's buildings; the latest award-winning additions are in Swansea, designed by the firm of the late Japanese star architect Kisho Kurokawa, and in Glasgow, designed by Rem Koolhaas.

The Guardian

At an earlier date, when the bimah was positioned in the centre of the synagogue (as it still is in Sephardic and many Orthodox Ashkenazi synagogues), the attention of the congregation was divided between it and the Ark of the Law.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"If we receive technical and financial support, we might be able to reach our target at an earlier date".

The Guardian

He said it would not be appropriate to strip the building because at an earlier date the window openings were changed, introducing totally different brick on the facade.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

Cubans played baseball in the United States at an early date.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They all hope that Taiwan and the mainland can be reunified at an early date.

The New York Times

The association said Friday that it hoped to finalize details "at an early date".

The New York Times

trade and jointly move the world economy out of the current difficulties at an early date.

The New York Times

At an early date there will be a debate on the Franco-Spanish treaty regarding Morocco.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "At an earlier date", ensure the context clearly establishes the reference point for 'earlier'. Otherwise, use a more specific time reference.

Common error

Avoid using "At an earlier date" without providing context for comparison. It is preferable to specify "At an earlier date than the initial estimate" to give precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "At an earlier date" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify when an action occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, as it indicates a time prior to a reference point established within the context. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate its role in setting temporal context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Encyclopedias

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "At an earlier date" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase that specifies when something happened before a given reference point. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Scientific writings. While versatile, writers should provide clear context for the comparison to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "previously" or "before" can be employed for conciseness. The Ludwig AI also tells us that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Earlier than that

This alternative emphasizes the temporal relationship compared to another point in time.

Previously

This alternative is shorter and more direct, lacking the explicit reference to a specific 'date'.

Before

This alternative is a simple preposition indicating precedence in time.

At a prior time

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the specified time.

Prior to that

This alternative explicitly refers to a previously mentioned event or time.

In the past

This alternative refers to a more general period before the present.

On a previous occasion

This alternative emphasizes a specific instance in the past.

In former times

This alternative is more archaic and refers to a more distant past.

Up until then

This alternative implies a change or shift after the mentioned time.

In days gone by

This alternative is an idiomatic expression for the past.

FAQs

How can I use "At an earlier date" in a sentence?

You can use "At an earlier date" to indicate that something happened or was scheduled to happen before a specific time. For example, "The project was completed at an earlier date than expected."

What can I say instead of "At an earlier date"?

You can use alternatives like "previously", "before", or "earlier than that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "At an earlier date" or "In an earlier date"?

"At an earlier date" is the correct and standard phrasing. "In an earlier date" is not grammatically correct.

What's the difference between "At an earlier date" and "At an early date"?

"At an earlier date" refers to a time before a specific point in the past, while "At an early date" refers to a time soon after a starting point. The emphasis shifts from 'before a known time' to 'soon after the start'.