a benchmark date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a benchmark date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific date that serves as a point of reference for comparison or evaluation. Example: "The project will be evaluated based on the results achieved by the benchmark date of December 31st."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Figure 3 shows the number of descriptions from before and after the year 1923 (a benchmark date for copyright in the United States) for each of the major taxonomic kingdoms.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Canadian Ice Service, a federal agency, has measured ice extent on July 15, the benchmark date for the annual start of shipping in Hudson Bay, for every year since 1971.

The New York Times

Today, the United Nations Secretary-General is marking 1,000 days until this date, and UNICEF is seizing the opportunity afforded by this benchmark date to reflect on this vision, from the perspective of children.

Unicef

This can be used as a benchmark dataset at different dates.

BMC Genomics

Mr. Pataki habitually uses that date as a benchmark, telling audiences how much New York has improved since then, and how he has wrested state government from its flawed, liberal ways.

The New York Times

Earlier, Deutsche paid $2.5 billion to settle claims by American and British authorities that it manipulated LIBOR, a benchmark interest rate, the biggest such fine to date.

The Economist

Until 2000, there was no broad expansion of LSMA in Butana; therefore, imagery from this date has been used as a benchmark.

Pastoralism

The discoveries, such as the very precise carbon dating and medical evidence, will serve as a benchmark for other studies.

BBC

The first to fully exploit this technique, which dates back to 14th-century armor ornamentation, he left behind some 300 fine prints, a benchmark for posterity.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Each represented a benchmark.

The New Yorker

That sandwich remains a benchmark.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a benchmark date", clearly define what makes that specific date a significant point of comparison within your context. This avoids ambiguity and ensures readers understand its relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "a benchmark date" without providing sufficient context. Readers may not understand why that particular date was chosen as a benchmark, leading to misinterpretations. Always explain the significance of the date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a benchmark date" functions as a noun phrase, specifying a particular point in time used as a standard for comparison. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is used to evaluate or measure progress against a pre-defined point, and provides a frame of reference in time.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a benchmark date" is a noun phrase indicating a specific date serving as a reference point for comparisons and evaluations. Ludwig AI identifies its usage as grammatically correct, though relatively rare. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. For effective use, clearly define the significance of the benchmark date to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like ""a reference date"" or ""a baseline date"" to convey nuances in meaning, if needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a baseline date

Replaces "benchmark" with "baseline", emphasizing the starting point for measurement.

a reference date

Uses "reference" instead of "benchmark", focusing on the date as a point of orientation.

a target date

Emphasizes the date as a goal or objective to be reached, shifting the focus from comparison to achievement.

a key date

Highlights the date's importance or significance in a particular context.

an anchor date

Similar to "reference date", but suggests the date is a firm point on which other events depend.

a comparative date

Explicitly states the date is used for comparison purposes.

a standard date

Suggests a date that is widely accepted or used as a norm.

a touchstone date

Implies the date is a test or criterion for determining quality or genuineness.

a point of reference

More general than "a benchmark date", referring to any point used for comparison, not necessarily a specific date.

a milestone date

Highlights the date as a significant event in a project's timeline

FAQs

How do you use "a benchmark date" in a sentence?

You can use "a benchmark date" to refer to a specific date used for comparison or evaluation. For example, "We will evaluate progress against the results achieved by "a benchmark date" set at the end of Q1."

What's another way to say "a benchmark date"?

Alternatives to "a benchmark date" include "a reference date", "a baseline date", or "a target date", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What makes a date a good benchmark?

A good benchmark date is typically chosen because it represents a significant event, the completion of a phase, or a point where key data is available for comparison. It should be relevant to the context and provide a meaningful point of reference.

Is there a difference between "a benchmark date" and "a target date"?

While both involve a specific date, "a benchmark date" is primarily used for comparing performance or progress, whereas "a target date" signifies a goal to be achieved by that time. They are related but serve different purposes.