alter the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to change or modify a specific date in a document, schedule, or event. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to alter the date of the meeting to next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

A change.org petition to alter the date received almost 5,000 signatures, and the conversation dominated the music and youth media.

The Guardian - Music

A clerk at another store selling Fisher-Price toys said she would alter the date of manufacture on toys for customers to whatever dates they requested.

The New York Times

"The only difference to a normal ticket is that, as a courier, you can't change the date of your outbound flight, although you can alter the date of the return leg for about £50.

The Guardian - Travel

The jury asked to review the following material: Dr. Bierenbaum's flight log book, in which prosecutors contend he tried to alter the date of that flight by changing the month of July to August; flight records from the aviation company he chartered the plane from; and pictures of a family birthday party that show a smiling Dr. Bierenbaum on the night his wife disappeared.

The New York Times

Warriors had hoped to alter the date of the televised quarter-final on 12 May as Wigan Athletic play 24 hours later.

BBC

However, we did find that R. temporaria can substantially alter the date they breed in response to the environmental conditions experienced, even between geographically close breeding sites, demonstrating a high degree of plasticity in terms of breeding timing.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The major is framed by police officers, who alter the dates of the alleged sexual offence as it suits them, and illicitly collude with print journalists.

Independent

It was around that time that Mr. Alexander, along with Mr. Kreinberg, then the chief financial officer, and Mr. Sorin, Comverse's legal counsel, started a plan to alter the dates when options had been granted to employees, backdating them to a time when the stock price was lower so that the recipient could earn even bigger profits, according to the criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors.

The New York Times - Tech

"A decision to alter the dates of the 2022 Fifa World Cup would not affect our infrastructure planning".

BBC

(Dr. Lowry confessed to altering the date, but has since recanted).

The New York Times

But on Monday, the National Archives disclosed that Dr. Lowry had altered the date on the original pardon to promote his book, changing the year to 1865 from 1864, possibly to make it look as if the pardon was one of the president's final acts — and thus historic.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alter the date", ensure the context clearly indicates which date is being changed and why. Providing a specific reason for the alteration adds clarity and prevents confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "alter the date" without specifying which date you're referring to. Always provide enough context to prevent ambiguity. Instead of saying "We need to alter the date", specify "We need to alter the date of the meeting".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the date" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating an action. It signifies the act of modifying or changing a specific date. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the date" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express the act of changing or modifying a specific date. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears in diverse contexts, including news, science, and general reference materials. While "change the date" is a more frequently used synonym, "alter the date" provides a slightly more formal alternative. When using this phrase, ensure you provide adequate context to avoid ambiguity and clearly specify the date being referenced.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

change the date

Replaces "alter" with the more common synonym "change".

modify the date

Substitutes "alter" with "modify", indicating a slight adjustment.

adjust the date

Replaces "alter" with "adjust", suggesting a fine-tuning of the date.

reschedule the date

Implies rearranging the date to a different time.

revise the date

Indicates a more formal alteration or correction of the date.

amend the date

Replaces "alter" with "amend", suggesting a formal correction.

shift the date

Suggests moving the date forward or backward.

correct the date

Implies fixing an incorrect date.

postpone the date

Indicates delaying the date to a later time.

bring forward the date

Means moving the date to an earlier time.

FAQs

What is the meaning of "alter the date"?

The phrase "alter the date" means to change or modify a specific date. It implies making an adjustment or revision to a previously set date.

What can I say instead of "alter the date"?

You can use alternatives like "change the date", "modify the date", or "adjust the date" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "alter the date"?

Yes, the phrase "alter the date" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms its validity based on numerous examples.

What is the difference between "alter the date" and "change the date"?

While both phrases are similar, ""change the date"" is more commonly used and implies a general change. "Alter the date" may suggest a more specific or formal adjustment.