an incorrect date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an incorrect date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a date that is not accurate or does not match the expected or required date. Example: "The report was submitted with an incorrect date, which caused confusion among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

An earlier version of this article gave an incorrect date for the Pasadena Symphony's Holiday Candlelight concert.

Los Angeles Times

The previous version gave an incorrect date for the presidential election.

The Guardian

This article was corrected on 18 December 2016 to amend an incorrect date.

The Guardian

An Abiomed spokeswoman said a public relations company had given an incorrect date.

The New York Times - Health

CROSSWORD The puzzle answers on Oct. 20 carried an incorrect date.

The New York Times

The article also gave an incorrect date for the last time, before this June, that the Yankees visited Wrigley Field.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

We therefore used two approaches to estimate this date: one that would yield a completely incorrect date if the GRD sequences had been dispersed amongst the Nicotiana species by hybridization, and another that was less dependent on the occurrence of a single integration event.

Plosone

If you've sent out a faulty coupon code or an email with the incorrect date of an event, it's OK to send the occasional 'oops' or 'we messed up' email.

Huffington Post

In this case, the UE receives an incorrect multicasting date at very next downlink frame since the multicast date is modulated to an incorrect MCS level by the eNB.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

He told investigators he put an incorrect start date on it to make himself appear more involved with Gotham than he was.

The New York Times

A review yesterday about the Broadway Cabaret Festival at Town Hall gave an incorrect closing date in some copies for a competing event, the Cabaret Convention at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When correcting "an incorrect date", always provide the correct date to avoid further confusion. Be explicit and clear in your correction.

Common error

Don't assume your audience knows what the "incorrect date" was. Always specify both the incorrect and correct dates for clarity. For instance, instead of saying, "The date was incorrect," say, "The date was incorrectly listed as July 15th; the correct date is July 22nd."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an incorrect date" functions as a noun phrase, where "incorrect" modifies the noun "date". As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It typically serves as the object or subject complement in a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an incorrect date" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that serves to highlight an error related to a specific date. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, as well as in scientific and wiki sources. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for a variety of registers, primarily neutral in tone and designed to correct or clarify information. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating the correct date, as well. Alternative phrases include "a wrong date" or "an inaccurate date".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a wrong date

Direct synonym, simply replaces "incorrect" with "wrong".

an inaccurate date

"Inaccurate" is used instead of "incorrect", implying a lack of precision rather than outright error.

a false date

"False" suggests a deliberate misrepresentation of the date.

an erroneous date

"Erroneous" is a more formal synonym for "incorrect".

a mistaken date

"Mistaken" implies the date was incorrect due to a mistake or oversight.

the wrong date

Using "the" instead of "an" specifies a particular incorrect date.

the date is wrong

Rephrasing the sentence to focus on the date being wrong.

the date was incorrect

Using the past tense to describe a date that was previously incorrect.

the date is flawed

"Flawed" suggests the date has some inherent problem making it unreliable.

the stated date is wrong

Specifies that the date that was said or written is wrong

FAQs

How can I identify "an incorrect date" in a document?

Check for discrepancies against other reliable sources, cross-reference with related events, and verify the date's internal consistency within the document. Look for inconsistencies or conflicting information that might indicate an error.

What's the difference between "an inaccurate date" and "an incorrect date"?

"An incorrect date" typically means the date is simply wrong. "An inaccurate date" implies the date is not precise or contains minor errors, but might still be close to the actual date. The nuance depends on the context.

What are some common reasons for having "an incorrect date" in a record?

Common reasons include typographical errors, data entry mistakes, misinterpretation of source materials, or using outdated information. Human error is a frequent cause, as highlighted by Ludwig examples.

If I find "an incorrect date", how should I correct it?

Correct the date immediately and clearly indicate the correction, preferably with a note explaining the original error and the source of the corrected information. Transparency prevents further confusion. Consider adding a version control or edit history to document changes.