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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
Date of retrieval
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "Date of retrieval" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in academic or research contexts to indicate when a source was accessed or retrieved, especially for online materials. Example: "According to the article, the information was last updated in 2021, and the date of retrieval is March 15, 2023."
✓ Grammatically correct
Science
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
4 human-written examples
Right: September Arctic sea ice extent, SIE, 106 km2 (US National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, CO, USA website, http://nsidc.org/data; date of retrieval; 30 December 2015).
During the collection of follow-up information from clinical records, the study subjects' follow-up period was marked as complete or incomplete depending on whether follow-up information was complete or missing until date of retrieval.
Science
(n.d).. Include the date of retrieval.
Wiki
(n.d).."... Use the date of retrieval after the period.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
55 human-written examples
We used one of three methods to estimate the date of conception: oocyte retrieval date, which was abstracted from medical records; crown rump length, which was measured during a fetal ultrasound between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation; or woman's report of last menstrual period.
Censored cases were defined by non-receipt of information about a patient's death and death date at the time of retrieval of survival data.
The data sources for all datasets used in this study are listed in Additional File 5 including the FTP sites, dates of data retrievals, and version numbers, if applicable.
Science
An example of date retrieval involving such negotiation might be http://data.datacite.org/chemical/x-mnpub/10.14469/hpc/1280.
Science
It was Masson who originally invited the British team led by Harris to be involved and apply modern methods of retrieval, analysis and dating at Jeitun.
The ascertainment of vital status was carried out through linkage with town offices, identifying the date of death and allowing for the retrieval of the death certificate to identify the specific causes of death (2002 2010).
Science
In a recent paper, Hachemi and Besombes (2013) extended the problem of retrieval sequencing for flow-rack AS/RS by integrating the product expiry date.
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When citing online sources, always include the "Date of retrieval" because web content can change or disappear over time. This ensures readers can understand the currency of the information you used.
Common error
Forgetting to include the "Date of retrieval" is a common mistake when citing online sources. Without it, readers cannot assess the validity and reliability of the information, especially if the source is prone to frequent updates.
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "Date of retrieval" functions as a noun phrase, typically used within citations or references to specify when a piece of information was accessed. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in academic and research contexts.
Frequent in
Science
50%
Wiki
25%
Academia
25%
Less common in
News & Media
0%
Formal & Business
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "Date of retrieval" is a noun phrase used to specify when information was accessed, particularly from online sources. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically correct and commonly used in academic and research contexts to ensure transparency regarding the currency of cited information. While alternatives like "access date" or "date accessed" exist, the key is consistently including this information when citing dynamic online content. Remember, omitting the "Date of retrieval" can undermine the credibility of your sources. Although the example sentences found by Ludwig are limited, they illustrate the phrase's application across various source types, most prominently in science and wiki contexts.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
Access date
This alternative is shorter and more direct, commonly used in citations.
Date accessed
This alternative is a simple rephrasing, emphasizing the action of accessing the information.
Date of access
A slightly more formal alternative to "Access date".
Retrieved on
This alternative is a more conversational way to indicate when the information was obtained.
Sourced on
This alternative emphasizes the act of finding the source on a specific date.
Date of sourcing
This option highlights the act of identifying the source on a particular date.
Acquisition date
This alternative implies a formal acquisition of data or information.
Record retrieval date
Suitable when referring to the specific retrieval of a record.
Date the data was obtained
A more descriptive alternative, clarifying the data acquisition process.
Date of data extraction
Suitable for scenarios where data is specifically extracted from a source.
FAQs
When should I include the "Date of retrieval" in a citation?
Include the "Date of retrieval" primarily when citing online sources that are likely to change or be updated frequently, such as websites, online articles, or social media content. This helps readers understand when the information was accessed, as it may have been altered since then.
What's the difference between "Date of retrieval" and publication date?
The publication date refers to when the original content was created or published. The "Date of retrieval" indicates when you accessed the information. If there's no publication date or the content is dynamic, the "Date of retrieval" becomes essential.
How do I format the "Date of retrieval" in APA style?
In APA style, the "Date of retrieval" is formatted as: Retrieved Month Day, Year, from [URL]. For example: Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.example.com.
What can I say instead of "Date of retrieval"?
You can use alternatives like "access date" or "date accessed". These options are shorter and commonly used in citations to indicate when the information was obtained.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
77%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested