a date on which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a date on which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to specify a particular day or occasion when something occurs. Example: "The event will take place on a date on which we can all attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

Ideally, the dying person would choose a date on which he would die.

The New York Times

Another proposal inspired by a neutral is the idea of setting a date on which both sides would call it quits.

The New Yorker

The municipal government told the station to resolve the dispute before the sensitive anniversary of the 1989 pro-democracy killings on June 4, a date on which the government is wary of any gatherings.

The New York Times

Because Verizon had the discretion to decide when the deal closed, it could choose a date on which the movement of the shares gave it an advantage, and it did so.

The New York Times

Having been told their place, west London's wives had other ideas and fan protests prompted the club to bring forward the match to Christmas Eve, a date on which the club offered no thoughts on what it expected the nation's wives to be doing.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither the number of years during which he lived nor the point in time at which he ruled can be fixed exactly; 2334 bc is now given as a date on which to hang the beginning of the dynasty of Agade, and, according to the Sumerian king list, he was king for 56 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

We hear a lot about the year 2050: it is a handy date on which to hang our hopes of a "sustainable society", which has come to mean business as usual but without the carbon.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Arc gig was what is known as a "track date," on which singers perform a song or two over recorded instrumental music.

The New York Times - Arts

The point isn't that the United States needs a specific date on which we will withdraw our forces from Iraq.

The New York Times

"Dear Sir: In reference to a convenient date on which the Jolly Twelve might visit your Funeral Home, we gladly accept the date offered, Thursday, Nov. 26, 1936.

The New Yorker

"What we have is a specific date on which we will begin transferring responsibility for security district by district, province by province in Afghanistan, to the Afghans".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a date on which", ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what event or action is associated with that date for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "a date on which" in very informal contexts where simpler alternatives like "the day that" or "when" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a date on which" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, typically "date" or a similar temporal noun. It introduces a relative clause specifying a particular day when an event or action takes place. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

25%

Science

21%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a date on which" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to specify a particular day when something happens or is scheduled to occur. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this expression. While effective, consider the context and audience, as simpler alternatives like "the day that" or "when" may be more appropriate in informal settings. The phrase enjoys wide usage across news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the date that

Interchangeable with the original phrase, but slightly less formal.

the day that

More direct and less formal; replaces "on which" with "that".

the day when

Replaces "on which" with "when", emphasizing the time aspect.

on that specific day

Adds emphasis to the particularity of the day.

the particular day

Highlights the uniqueness or importance of the day.

the appointed day

Implies a pre-arranged or designated day.

the specified day

Similar to 'appointed day', suggesting a prior agreement or designation.

a certain day

More general; refers to a specific but unspecified day.

the occasion when

Focuses on the event or circumstance occurring on the date.

when the time comes

More idiomatic; refers to a future date or event.

FAQs

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

Use "a date on which" to specify when something happened or will happen. For example, "The contract specifies "a date on which" the project must be completed".

What are some alternatives to "a date on which"?

You can use alternatives like "the day that", "the day when", or simply "when", depending on the level of formality required. For example, instead of "a date on which the event will occur", you could say "the day that the event will occur".

Is it better to use "that" or "on which" after "date"?

While "on which" is grammatically correct and more formal, "that" is often preferred in modern English for its simplicity and directness. Both are acceptable, but consider your audience and the context.

What is the difference between "a date on which" and "when"?

"A date on which" is a more formal and specific way of referring to a particular day. "When" is a more general term that can refer to a time or occasion, not necessarily a specific date. Using "when" can simplify your sentence.