Save the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Save the date" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to inform someone about an upcoming event that they should mark on their calendar. Example: "We're having a wedding on June 15th, so please save the date!" Alternative expressions include "Mark your calendar" and "Don't forget the date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Social Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

And developers, SAVE THE DATE!

TechCrunch

"Save the Date" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian).

The New York Times

"Save the Date," a 2012 romantic comedy, stars Lizzy Caplan and Alison Brie as sisters with polar-opposite attitudes toward romantic commitment.

The New Yorker

Save up now Theget the best of VICE CanaDateelivered straight to your inbox.

Vice

Seek it out yourself and save the date.

The Guardian - Tech

Don't Save the Date My wife and I received a "Save the Date" refrigerator magnet from my cousin, for her son's wedding.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Send out save-the-date emails or cards with info and money-saving fixes.

BBC

"Don't freak out-it's just a save-the-date".

The New Yorker

We sent save-the-date cards six months before the wedding.

The New York Times

Save-the-date notices may be sent well in advance, six months out or even earlier.

The New York Times

My family wasn't big on weddings in the save-the-date, banquet-hall sense.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Save the date" as a standalone imperative sentence at the top of digital or physical announcements to immediately signal the purpose of the communication

Common error

Do not treat a "Save the date" as the formal invitation itself. It is essential to include the phrase "formal invitation to follow" or ensure your guests understand that RSVP details, meal choices and specific timing will be provided in a later, more comprehensive mailing.

Linguistic Context

Grammatically, "Save the date" functions primarily as an imperative clause consisting of a transitive verb and its direct object. In contemporary usage, it has also evolved into a compound noun (often hyphenated as save-the-date) referring to the physical or digital announcement itself. Ludwig data shows it appearing frequently as both a direct instruction and an object of a sentence.

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Social Media

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Save the date" is a robust and universally recognized idiom in the English language, serving as an essential tool for event planning and personal communication. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across high-quality media sources. Whether used as a direct command to "Save the date" for a wedding or as a noun phrase referring to the announcement itself, it functions as a crucial precursor to formal invitations. It is important to distinguish between the verb form and the hyphenated noun form used in professional writing. Overall, it remains the standard choice for ensuring guest availability in both social and business spheres.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Mark your calendar

More direct imperative focused on the physical act of noting the event

Keep the date free

Emphasizes the need for the recipient to avoid booking other commitments

Hold the date

Often used in professional or corporate settings to request a tentative block of time

Note the date

Slightly more formal and less common in social wedding contexts

Reserve the date

Suggests a more formal commitment of time

Pencil us in

An informal and idiomatic way to suggest a tentative booking

Block out your calendar

Focuses on the logistical preparation of a schedule

Clear your schedule

A stronger command suggesting the event is of high priority

Set a reminder

Focuses on the technological aspect of not forgetting the event

Invitation to follow

Clarifies the nature of the notice as a precursor to a formal invite

FAQs

How do I use "Save the date" in a sentence?

You can use it as a direct command like "We are getting married, so please "Save the date"!" or as a noun phrase like "We sent out the "save-the-date" notice last week".

What is a more formal way to say "Save the date"?

In formal contexts, you might use "mark your calendar" or "kindly hold the date" to convey the same message with a softer tone.

Should I use "Save the date" or "Save the dates"?

Use "Save the date" for a single-day event. If your event spans multiple days, such as a destination wedding or a weekend conference, you should use "save the dates".

Is "Save the date" different from an invitation?

Yes, a "Save the date" is a preliminary notice sent months in advance, whereas a "formal invitation" contains all the final logistics and the RSVP request.