an imprecise date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an imprecise date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a date that is not exact or specific, often in contexts where an approximation is acceptable. Example: "The event is scheduled for an imprecise date in late summer, so please stay tuned for updates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kit Juckes of SocGen predicts that there will be a summer of happiness and calm, and then "at an imprecise date, when we're not ready" policymakers will "wake up" and decide that they aren't happy with this situation.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Imprecise date items (follow-up month and follow-up year available) are considered.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

The temporal resolution of flowering and fruiting times was kept at months, so that imprecise date information (e.g. 'April 1914') could be incorporated, and quantity of relevant data maximized.

AoB PLANTS

For the initial part of chronology the comparison between light ring years and volcanic activity was saddled with a large uncertainty which arises from the imprecise dating of the oldest eruptions.

Dendrochronologia

The Tagar/Tes group (#7) had to be excluded because of their imprecise dating.

Nature

Critiquing such theories has often proven difficult, not least because of the imprecise dating of many aspects of the palaeoclimate or archaeological records and the difficulties of merging the two strands of research.

Quaternary Science Reviews

However, when the corresponding fossil data are inadequate or sparse, the lower time boundary based on such data could considerably postdate the true divergence time, potentially leading to inaccurate or imprecise dating results [ 2, 3].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Dating the onset of a long silence is inevitably an imprecise business, but by the time of his return to the United States in 1789 Jefferson had backed away from a leadership position on slavery.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hicks said that radiocarbon, which dated the bones to the period of Richard's death, was an imprecise technique.

The Guardian

It is an imprecise analogy.

The New York Times

"We know it is an imprecise system.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an imprecise date", clarify the range or context to provide as much information as possible. For example, specify a season or general timeframe.

Common error

Avoid treating "an imprecise date" as a fixed point. Acknowledge its variability and avoid building critical dependencies on it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an imprecise date" functions as a noun phrase, where "imprecise" modifies the noun "date". It indicates that the specific date is not known, exact, or clearly defined. This is supported by Ludwig AI analysis, which confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an imprecise date" is a grammatically sound phrase used to refer to a date that is not exact or well-defined. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, it finds application in both news and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarity is key: provide as much contextual information as possible to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""approximate date"" or ""estimated date"" can be employed depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approximate date

Replaces "imprecise" with "approximate", indicating a date that is close but not exact.

estimated date

Substitutes "imprecise" with "estimated", suggesting a date that has been calculated but may not be precise.

unspecified date

Replaces "imprecise" with "unspecified", indicating the date has not been explicitly stated.

rough date

Substitutes "imprecise" with "rough", implying an approximate or inexact date.

tentative date

Replaces "imprecise" with "tentative", suggesting the date is subject to change and not firmly set.

projected date

Replaces "imprecise" with "projected", implying a date forecast based on current data.

imprecise timeframe

Changes "date" to "timeframe", broadening the scope to an inexact period rather than a single point in time.

vague date

Substitutes "imprecise" with "vague", indicating a lack of clarity or detail about the date.

indefinite date

Replaces "imprecise" with "indefinite", suggesting the date is not clearly determined or fixed.

unclear date

Substitutes "imprecise" with "unclear", indicating a lack of certainty or precision regarding the date.

FAQs

How can I use "an imprecise date" in a sentence?

You can use "an imprecise date" when referring to events or deadlines that lack a specific or exact date. For example: "The project is slated for completion by "an imprecise date" in Q4."

What are some alternatives to "an imprecise date"?

Alternatives to "an imprecise date" include "approximate date", "estimated date", or "unspecified date". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an imprecise date" in formal writing?

Yes, it's acceptable to use "an imprecise date" in formal writing when the exact date is genuinely unknown or irrelevant. However, provide as much context as possible to avoid ambiguity.

What's the difference between "an imprecise date" and "a tentative date"?

"An imprecise date" indicates a lack of exactness, while "a tentative date" suggests a date that is provisional and subject to change. The former is about accuracy, the latter about certainty.