a lot of dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lot of dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a large number of dates, whether in a calendar context, social engagements, or historical events. Example: "I have a lot of dates to remember this month, including birthdays and anniversaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I was being asked on a lot of dates.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Sometimes there are a lot of dates until you get married," Mr. Bethune said.

The New York Times

Second, it is reasonable to suppose that a sufferer of the symptoms von Hutten describes would be unlikely to get a lot of dates.

The New York Times - Health

“I go on a lot of dates,” she said, blushing.

Forbes

There are a lot of dates, deadline, events, and forms to remember!

Duke University

Bottom line: There are a lot of dates you can enjoy in the cold weather - whether they are inside or outside - is up to you!

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Yeah, probably, to a lot of dating-scene types.

The New York Times - Arts

The show's fans generally don't have glamorous lifestyles, or a lot of dating prospects.

The New York Times - Arts

"A lot of dating sites are trying to distance your professional life and your dating life as if they were two separate things.

The Guardian - Tech

As Kathryn Irwin, who first attended SXSW in 1994 and hasn't missed a year since 2000, put it: "There's been some babies, there's been a lot of dating, and a lot of hooking up".

The New York Times - Travel

"Like a lot of dating sites, AM works more like a porn site – they are selling the suggestion of a woman wanting you or a chance of that.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lot of dates", ensure the context is clear whether you're referring to calendar dates or social engagements. For calendar dates, provide additional context like "a lot of important dates".

Common error

Avoid using "a lot of dates" when a more precise number is known. If you know you have exactly ten dates scheduled, specifying "ten dates" provides clearer communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lot of dates" primarily functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It indicates a large quantity of dates, whether referring to specific days or social engagements. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a lot of dates" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a large quantity of dates. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and versatile across various contexts. It's important to maintain clarity by providing context on the type of dates being referenced, ensuring whether it pertains to calendar days or social events. Alternatives such as "many dates" or "numerous dates" can be used for variety or emphasis. The phrase maintains a neutral register, suitable for both informal and formal communication, and appears most frequently in news and media, followed by academic and wiki contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many dates

Emphasizes quantity using a more direct synonym.

numerous dates

Highlights a large number of dates, sounding slightly more formal.

a great number of dates

Adds emphasis to the quantity of dates.

plenty of dates

Suggests an abundance of dates available or scheduled.

a multitude of dates

Implies a very large and perhaps overwhelming number of dates.

several dates

Indicates more than a few dates, but not necessarily a large amount.

quite a few dates

Similar to 'several', but with a bit more emphasis on the number.

a considerable number of dates

Highlights that the number of dates is significant or noteworthy.

an abundance of dates

Similar to 'plenty', emphasizing that there's more than enough.

a host of dates

A more figurative way of saying there are many dates.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "a lot of dates"?

You can use alternatives like "many dates", "numerous dates", or "several dates" depending on the context.

Is "a lot of dates" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a lot of dates" is grammatically correct. "A lot" functions as a quantifier, and it's followed by the plural noun "dates".

How do I use "a lot of dates" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a large quantity of dates, either in terms of calendar days or social engagements. For example: "There are a lot of dates, deadlines, events, and forms to remember!" or "I go on a lot of dates."

What's the difference between "a few dates" and "a lot of dates"?

"A few dates" indicates a small number, whereas "a lot of dates" indicates a large number. The specific number implied by each phrase depends on the context.