after a few dates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "after a few dates" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a period of time following several romantic outings or meetings between individuals. Example: "After a few dates, they decided to become exclusive and see where their relationship would lead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

After a few dates, a sexual affair developed.

The New Yorker

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 he might ask her to go steady.

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, Mr. Hendricks said he found himself doing things like planning picnics.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

One guy I know deleted a girl after going a few dates with her because he got the vibe that she was a little crazy.

Huffington Post

Many females think they know if they want to be in a relationship with a guy after only a few dates.

Huffington Post

As he had on the night we met years ago, he made the first moves suggesting, after only a few dates, that we spend New Year's Eve alone together, and asking later that weekend how I felt about "dating dating".

Vice

After playing a few dates in the Netherlands the beginning of a planned multinational tour the band set out on a Never Mind the Bans tour of Britain in December 1977.

Wikipedia

So he's not ready to take a free sparkler from Neil Lane and get down on bended knee after only a few dates with Des? He's not sure if he wants to spend the rest of his life with someone who is contractually obligated not to tell him she's in love with him until after she is proposed to?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "after a few dates" to introduce a turning point or a significant development in a relationship narrative to build anticipation and reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "after a few dates" in contexts where 'dates' could refer to calendar dates or appointments. This can lead to confusion. For instance, rather than saying "after a few dates in the project timeline…", specify 'after a few scheduled meetings'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "after a few dates" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb or clause by specifying when something occurred in relation to a series of dates. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "after a few dates" is a common temporal marker indicating a point in time following several romantic outings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and functions as an adverbial phrase. Predominantly found in News & Media and Wiki sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various writing styles. While the phrase is simple, it's crucial to use it in contexts where 'dates' clearly refers to romantic engagements to avoid ambiguity. When aiming for more formal expression, consider alternatives like "subsequent to a handful of dates" or "following several dates".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

following several dates

Emphasizes the sequence of events after multiple dates.

after dating for a short while

Highlights the duration of the dating period.

once a couple of dates have passed

Focuses on the progression of time and the completion of a few dates.

subsequent to a handful of dates

Uses more formal language to denote the time following several dates.

after a period of dating

Generalizes the dating experience without specifying the number of dates.

once they had been on a few dates

Highlights the reciprocal aspect of both individuals attending the dates.

following their initial dates

Emphasizes the introductory nature of the dates.

after some time dating

Indicates an unspecified duration of dating.

after they'd dated a couple of times

Informal way of saying they went on a few dates.

upon having a few dates

Formal phrasing to signify after experiencing a few dates.

FAQs

What does "after a few dates" generally imply?

Generally, "after a few dates" implies a short period following the commencement of a romantic relationship, typically referring to the initial stages of getting to know someone.

How can I rephrase "after a few dates" to sound more formal?

To sound more formal, you could use phrases like "subsequent to a handful of dates" or "following several dates".

Is there a difference between "after a few dates" and "after several dates"?

While both phrases indicate a period following initial encounters, "after several dates" suggests a slightly longer duration or a more significant number of dates compared to "after a few dates".

Can "after a few dates" be used in non-romantic contexts?

While primarily used in romantic contexts, "after a few dates" could technically apply to any recurring event. However, ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation; otherwise, specify the type of 'dates', such as 'after a few business dates' or 'after a few project dates'.