a specific date for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific date for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to refer to a particular date related to an event, deadline, or appointment. Example: "We need to set a specific date for the meeting to ensure everyone can attend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A specific date for his departure has not been set.

The New York Times - Sports

Romney was not proposing a specific date for withdrawal.

The New Yorker

She is seeking a specific date for a meeting.

The New York Times

Neither she nor Ms. Lancaster would give a specific date for the discovery of the error.

The New York Times

Neither Mr. Race nor the governor's office would give a specific date for his departure.

The New York Times

"We hadn't fixed a specific date for the test, but it now will probably be mid-May".

The New York Times

The company has still not provided a specific date for that event.

The New York Times

The latest report did not give a specific date for the Chang'e-3 launching.

The New York Times

(He declined to provide a specific date). For now, the company handles a couple thousand orders per month.

The Guardian

Hare–Hawes Cutting Act, (1933), the first law setting a specific date for Philippine independence from the United States.

Britannica

At a meeting Tuesday night, thousands of drivers and attendants voted overwhelmingly in favor of a strike, without choosing a specific date for a walkout.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a specific date for", ensure that the context clearly indicates what event or activity the date refers to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific date for" without clearly defining what the date is related to. For example, instead of saying "We need a specific date for the project", specify "We need a specific date for the project launch".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific date for" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun. It indicates a particular point in time related to an event, deadline, or action, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a specific date for" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to a particular point in time associated with an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts, predominantly in news and media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensure that the event or activity the date is related to is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a precise date for" or "an exact date for" can be used to emphasize accuracy. By following best practices and avoiding vague references, you can effectively communicate timelines and deadlines. It appears with very high frequency in journalistic sources, however, that does not prevent its use in formal business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a precise date for

Replaces "specific" with "precise", indicating a more exact or accurate date.

an exact date for

Similar to "precise", but emphasizes accuracy and lack of ambiguity.

a definite date for

Substitutes "specific" with "definite", implying a firm and certain date.

a set date for

Replaces "specific" with "set", suggesting a prearranged or scheduled date.

a fixed date for

Similar to "set date", highlighting that the date is not subject to change.

a scheduled date for

Emphasizes that the date has been formally planned or arranged.

a designated date for

Suggests the date has been officially chosen or assigned for a particular purpose.

a targeted date for

Implies that the date is a goal or objective to be achieved.

a chosen date for

Highlights the act of selecting a particular date from available options.

a particular date for

A more general alternative, simply indicating a certain date without specifying its nature.

FAQs

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

You can use "a specific date for" to refer to a particular date related to an event, deadline, or appointment. For example, "We need to determine "a specific date for" the product launch".

What are some alternatives to saying "a specific date for"?

Alternatives include "a precise date for", "a definite date for", or "an exact date for", depending on the level of precision you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "a specific date and time for"?

While not strictly redundant, including "and time" can add clarity if the time is also important. If only the date matters, ""a specific date for"" is sufficient.

What is the difference between "a tentative date for" and "a specific date for"?

"A tentative date for" implies that the date is not yet confirmed and may be subject to change. In contrast, ""a specific date for"" suggests that the date has been decided upon, though it may still be subject to certain conditions.