brought a date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "brought a date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has invited or taken a romantic partner to an event or gathering. Example: "At the wedding, Sarah brought a date, and they seemed to have a great time together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

They each brought a date to cheer them on.

The New York Times

He glanced around to see if maybe she had brought a date.

The New Yorker

Update: "You've got to approach each game like it's an appetizer at a wedding that you brought a date to".

The New Yorker

Mr. Alford, who brought a date to the screening, added that throughout his life, he'd found an inspirational message in the movie.

The New York Times

Sanchez also brought a date, even though the pair supposedly are not dating.

Huffington Post

Bridesmaid or not, we're not usually the protagonists; often, we're supporting characters, and no one really cares or even notices what shoes we're wearing or if we've brought a date.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

She'd probably bring a date.

The New Yorker

Come, and bring a date!

The New Yorker

I noticed the invite said he could bring a date.

The New York Times

I imagined bringing a date home, and saying, "Oh, that?

The New York Times

"Doubles was a great place to bring a date," she recalled.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "brought a date", ensure the context clearly indicates that the 'date' is a romantic partner or a guest intended for companionship at the event. Otherwise, consider using more specific terminology to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "brought a date" when the person is simply a friend or acquaintance, not a romantic interest or someone specifically invited for the purpose of companionship. This can lead to misinterpretations and awkward social situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "brought a date" functions as a verb phrase, specifically indicating the action of accompanying someone to an event or occasion. As exemplified by Ludwig, it describes the act of introducing or presenting a romantic partner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

23%

Science

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "brought a date" is a commonly used verb phrase that indicates someone has accompanied a romantic partner or a companion to an event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, most notably in News & Media. While it's crucial to ensure the context is appropriate to avoid misinterpretations, alternatives like "took a date" or "attended with a date" can be considered for slight variations in meaning. When using this phrase, make sure the individual is, in fact, a romantic interest to prevent any awkward social situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

took a date

Replaces "brought" with "took", maintaining the action of accompanying someone to an event. It is slightly less formal.

came with a date

Focuses on the arrival with a date, rather than the action of bringing. It is more casual.

escorted a date

Replaces "brought" with "escorted", suggesting a more formal or traditional accompaniment.

attended with a date

Highlights the attendance aspect of the phrase. It is relatively neutral.

accompanied by a date

Changes the structure to passive voice, emphasizing the act of being accompanied rather than actively bringing someone.

had a date as a guest

Emphasizes the role of the date as a guest at an event.

had a plus one

Replaces "a date" with "a plus one", referring to the allowance of bringing a guest.

presented a date

Suggests a more formal introduction or showing off of the date.

partnered with a date

Suggests a more collaborative or formal relationship beyond just attending an event together.

graced with a date

Implies that the presence of the date enhances the event. It is more flowery and less common.

FAQs

How do I politely ask if I can "bring a date" to an event?

Inquire with the host whether the invitation includes a plus one or if it's acceptable to bring a guest. You can phrase it as, "I was wondering if the invitation extends to a guest?" or "Will I be able to "bring a plus one"?"

What's the difference between "bring a date" and "bring a guest"?

"Bring a date" generally implies a romantic interest or someone you are seeing, while "bring a guest" is a more general term that can refer to any companion, regardless of your relationship with them. Using "bring a guest" is suitable if you are not in a romantic relationship with the person you are bringing.

Is it rude to "bring a date" to a wedding if the invitation doesn't explicitly say "and guest"?

Yes, it is generally considered impolite to "bring a date" to a wedding unless the invitation includes "and guest" or you have confirmed with the hosts that it's acceptable. The hosts may have budget or space constraints, and assuming you can "bring a date" without prior approval is disrespectful.

What can I say instead of "I brought a date" if it didn't go well?

If the date didn't go well, you could simply state that you "attended the event with a friend" or "went with a companion", avoiding the specific term 'date' to downplay any romantic implications.