a clash of dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a clash of dates' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to refer to a situation where two people or groups have conflicting plans for a particular date. For example: "I had to cancel my holiday because there was a clash of dates with my work commitments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

McIlroy's participation had been in doubt because of a clash of dates with the AT&T National at Congressional, the scene of his US Open victory.

BBC

You can imagine the voices from the St Helen's pitchside: "Mummy, where's Katy Mclean?" The answer is the captain is in Brazil because of a clash of dates and team priorities.

BBC

Speaking to the BBC Mr Hogg said: "In September of last year I approached the panel and said I had a clash of dates, can you shift the date by a week so I can attend or will you be happy if my chief executive and chief of finance inspector speak for me.

BBC

They also wished to be free to accept such engagements individually, absenting themselves from concerts if there were a clash of dates.

Wikipedia

This will be five years (not the usual four) after the previous election date, an option which has been authorised to avoid a clash of dates with elections to the Parliament of the United Kingdom in London.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But hopes for a similar show of global solidarity in the Forbidden City, Beijing University and the Chinese state broadcaster (CCTV) have run up against official unease about the clash of dates.

The Guardian

The clash of dates between the IPL and India's national elections has caused the ministry of home affairs to request further itinerary changes after representatives of several Indian states insisted that they could not satisfy security requirements.

The Guardian - Sport

She said, "I don't think I could ever date a black guy because of a clash of cultures and all.

Vice

To date, Mr. Martin has published four more books in his planned seven-book series: "A Clash of Kings," "A Storm of Swords," "A Feast for Crows" and, most recently, "A Dance with Dragons".

The New York Times

It's a clash of civilizations!

The New Yorker

A clash of Titans?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a clash of dates", ensure the context clearly indicates which events or commitments are conflicting. For example, "The conference attendance was low due to a clash of dates with a major holiday".

Common error

Avoid using "a clash of dates" when referring to a simple inconvenience or preference. The phrase implies a genuine conflict that prevents participation or creates a significant problem. For instance, instead of saying "We couldn't go to the party because there was a clash of dates", consider "We couldn't go to the party because we already had plans".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clash of dates" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a situation where two or more events are scheduled for the same time, creating a conflict. Ludwig's examples illustrate this usage in news articles and other contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clash of dates" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe overlapping schedules that create conflicts. According to Ludwig, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and informal communication. While Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct, its usage should be reserved for situations where a real conflict exists, not just an inconvenience. Alternatives such as "a scheduling conflict" or "overlapping dates" may be more appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a date conflict

A more concise way of expressing the same idea.

a scheduling conflict

Focuses on the conflict itself rather than the dates involved.

overlapping dates

Highlights the overlap in the timing of events.

conflicting schedules

Emphasizes the schedules as a whole, not just specific dates.

a scheduling collision

A more formal and less common synonym for a scheduling conflict.

dates overlapping

Reverses the structure to emphasize the dates.

a timing conflict

Broader term that includes conflicts not just of dates but also of times.

a scheduling mix-up

Suggests an error or mistake in the scheduling process.

calendar collision

Uses 'calendar' to highlight the scheduling aspect.

double booking

A common term especially used in business contexts.

FAQs

What does "a clash of dates" mean?

The phrase "a clash of dates" refers to a situation where two or more events or commitments are scheduled for the same date, creating a conflict that makes it difficult or impossible to attend or participate in all of them.

How can I use "a clash of dates" in a sentence?

You might say, "The low attendance at the meeting was due to "a scheduling conflict" with the national holiday" or "I couldn't attend both conferences because there was a clash of dates".

What are some alternatives to "a clash of dates"?

Alternatives include "a date conflict", "overlapping dates", or "conflicting schedules", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a clash of dates" formal or informal?

"A clash of dates" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal settings, "a scheduling conflict" might be preferred.