a few dates after

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a few dates after" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame that occurs a short while following a specific event or date. Example: "We will meet for dinner a few dates after the conference ends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They had a few dates after that.

The New York Times

They ended up going on a few dates after that and when they went out to dinner, since they couldn't communicate, her now husband drew pictures for her on a napkin of the city where he lived.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"In the wake of that, I decided to give Justin a chance and thought, 'What do I have to lose?' " Her reservations dissipated after a few dates, she said, and they became serious after a few months.

The New York Times

Don't take it hard or personally unless after a few dates that person doesn't seem into it at all, even after initiation.

WikiHow

After a few dates, a sexual affair developed.

The New Yorker

After a few dates, they had "the talk," agreeing to date exclusively.

The New York Times

After a few dates, Mr. Nussbaum received a letter with a Dallas postmark.

The New York Times

After a few dates, the girl shows up in tears, saying she has a terrible secret.

The New York Times - Books

After a few dates last year, the two moved in together and spent weekends in Canada, Vermont, Washington and Monticello, Va.

The New York Times

After a few dates he might ask her to go steady.

The New York Times

After a few dates, Mr. Hendricks said he found himself doing things like planning picnics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a few dates after" to clearly indicate a sequence of events in a relationship timeline. For instance, "After a few dates after meeting online, they decided to become exclusive."

Common error

Avoid using "a few dates after" interchangeably with phrases like "after a couple of dates" if the specific number is important. While similar, "a few" is less precise than "couple".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a few dates after" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb or noun, indicating a temporal relationship following a series of dates. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage through real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a few dates after" is a grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to denote a period of time following a series of dates. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous real-world examples. While versatile and commonly found in various contexts, it is most prevalent in news and media. When using "a few dates after", consider its neutral register and ensure it accurately conveys the intended temporal relationship. Alternatives include "following a couple of dates" or "subsequent to some dates", which can be used to add nuance or formality. Remember to avoid the incorrect phrasing "after few dates".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following a couple of dates

Replaces "few" with "couple", slightly altering the quantity.

after several dates

Substitutes "few" with "several", implying a slightly larger number of dates.

after a series of dates

Highlights the consecutive nature of the dates.

subsequent to some dates

Uses more formal vocabulary to indicate the sequence of events.

post a handful of dates

Uses a more informal expression "handful" to represent the quantity of dates.

once some dates have passed

Emphasizes the completion of the dates before the subsequent event.

following those dates

Emphasizes the previously mentioned dates as a reference point.

after the dating period

Generalizes the "dates" into a dating period instead of mentioning specific dates.

in the wake of the dates

Uses a more dramatic expression "in the wake of" to show the impact of the dates.

down the line from the dates

Expresses the future time in a more casual manner.

FAQs

How can I use "a few dates after" in a sentence?

Use "a few dates after" to specify a time shortly following several dates, such as, "They became exclusive a few dates after their initial meeting."

What's a more formal way to say "a few dates after"?

A more formal alternative to "a few dates after" could be "subsequent to some dates", which uses more elevated vocabulary.

Is it correct to say "after few dates" instead of "a few dates after"?

No, it is not grammatically correct to say "after few dates". The correct phrasing is "after a few dates" or "a few dates after".

What can I say instead of "a few dates after" to imply a longer period?

If you want to imply a longer period, you could use phrases like "after several dates" or "after a series of dates".