a date date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a date date" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in a context where you are emphasizing a specific type of date, such as a romantic date, but it is generally not advisable. Example: "I have a date date planned for Saturday night at the new restaurant."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I thought of it as a way to get together with her, but not really a date date, which I guess I didn't mention.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The stretch Rolls-Royce limousine they had ordered was late, which was just as well because Ms. Rimawi couldn't decide how to style her hair, and when her date finally showed up, not a date-date but a friend, his shirt needed ironing.

The New York Times

Records with an invalid or missing admission date, date of death, principal diagnosis, DRG, patient age or gender were excluded.

BMC Health Services Research

April 11 2013 April 11: This January, in a bizarre stunt to promote her new album, "Chronicles of Marnia," the impressive noise-rock guitarist Marnie Stern provided her fans with a unique opportunity: to win a "release-date date" with her.

The New Yorker

Once settled into her new Cambridge apartment, Ms. Squires and Mr. Traub engaged in a string of non-date dates to restaurants and the beach.

The New York Times

Dating: Dating is fun!

Huffington Post

Three possibilities are being discussed: "a date", "a date for a date" and "a rendezvous".

The Economist

IN Laura Anne Brown's experience, few men are brave enough to call a date a date.

The New York Times

Then he offers to pay, changing the whole outing into a date -- a trick date".

The New York Times

Mr. Turner said it appeared that Apple had practiced "pick a date, any date" accounting.

The New York Times

The equation was simple: Find a date, any date, or skip the prom.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a date date", ensure the context clearly indicates you are emphasizing the 'date' aspect, whether it's about scheduling, romance, or precision. Avoid ambiguity by using more common alternatives like "specific date" or "romantic date".

Common error

Avoid using "a date date" repeatedly in your writing, as it can sound redundant and awkward. Opt for clearer and more widely accepted phrases to convey your intended meaning. For example, use "scheduled date" instead of "a date date" to make it about time planning. If, instead, you mean to emphasize the romance of the encounter use the term "romantic date".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a date date" functions primarily as a noun phrase aiming to emphasize or clarify the nature of an event as a genuine date, often implying a romantic context. Ludwig AI indicates that this usage isn't standard and can cause confusion.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a date date" is an uncommon and somewhat non-standard way to emphasize that an event is truly a date, especially a romantic one. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrasing can be confusing, and clearer alternatives like ""romantic date"" or "scheduled date" are generally preferred. While it appears in some media contexts, its rarity suggests avoiding it in formal writing. If using it, ensure the context makes your intention clear to prevent misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A specific date

Emphasizes the exactness of the date.

A definite date

Highlights the certainty of the date.

A scheduled date

Focuses on the planned nature of the date.

A romantic date

Specifies the type of date being referred to.

A confirmed date

Highlights the agreed-upon nature of the date.

A precise date

Stresses the accuracy of the date.

A particular date

Emphasizes selecting a certain date.

A set date

Focuses on the immutability of the date.

An actual date

Highlights the reality of the date as opposed to a hypothetical one.

A designated date

Emphasizes the appointment of the date.

FAQs

What does "a date date" mean?

The phrase "a date date" is not standard English. It's sometimes used to emphasize that something is truly a date, especially a "romantic date", and not just a casual meeting. However, it can be confusing.

How can I use "a date date" in a sentence?

While not recommended, you might use "a date date" to stress that an outing is, in fact, a romantic encounter. Example: "I thought it was just a friendly hangout, but he clarified it was meant to be a date date."

What are some alternatives to "a date date"?

Better alternatives include ""romantic date"", "scheduled date", "confirmed date", or simply "date", depending on the context. Using clearer language avoids confusion.

Is "a date date" grammatically correct?

Grammatically, "a date date" is unusual and can be seen as redundant. While understandable in specific contexts, it's generally better to use more conventional phrasing for clarity and correctness. As an alternative to it, you may simply say "a date".