by that date

USAGE SUMMARY

"by that date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a particular point in time, usually in the future, that has been previously established. For example: Please make sure your report is completed by that date.

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By that date both families accepted a de facto division of the Vietnamese state.

Britannica

Payment must be received by that date.

Harvard University

By that date, Baldwin had practically ceased communicating by mail.

The Guardian - Books

Greece has to repay the IMF €1.6bn by that date.

The Guardian - Business

All materials must be postmarked by that date.

Cornell University

By that date also, most quota restrictions had been lifted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A player must be on a team's roster by that date to compete in the playoffs.

The New York Times - Sports

If Congress does not resolve its issues by that date, the court will provide another update.

The Guardian

By that date there will be 1.7 million fewer children under 10 than there are today.

The Guardian

The Titan and Lockheed internal reviews and federal investigations may not be completed by that date.

The New York Times

Cheryl needs us to pray that by that date, change is going to come".

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing. "By that date" is suitable for most contexts, but in formal writing, you might prefer "on or before that date" or "prior to that date".

Common error

Avoid assuming the action can be taken after "by that date". The phrase implies the action must be completed on or before the specified date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by that date" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, specifying a time limit or deadline for an action or event. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

6%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by that date" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to indicate a deadline or specific point in time for the completion of an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and encyclopedias. When using "by that date", it's important to ensure that the date is clearly defined and understood by the reader. Alternatives like "on that date" or "no later than that date" can be used for slight variations in meaning or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on that date

Replaces 'by' with 'on', focusing on the specific date rather than the deadline aspect.

on or before that date

Specifies that the action can occur on the date or any time before it.

no later than that date

Emphasizes the deadline aspect more strongly, clarifying that the action must occur before or on that date.

by then

A shorter, more general way of saying "by that date", suitable when the date is already understood.

prior to that date

A more formal way of saying 'before that date'.

until that date

Shifts the focus to the period leading up to the date, rather than the date itself.

before that date

Indicates something should happen at an unspecified time before that date.

as of that date

Focuses on the state of something at that particular date, rather than a deadline.

up to that date

Highlights a cumulative process or state that continues until that specific date.

by the time that date arrives

Adds emphasis and a sense of anticipation.

FAQs

How can I use "by that date" in a sentence?

You can use "by that date" to indicate a deadline or a point in time when something should be completed. For example, "Please submit your application "by that date"."

What is a more formal alternative to "by that date"?

A more formal alternative to "by that date" is "on or before that date" or "prior to that date".

Is there a difference between "by that date" and "on that date"?

"By that date" implies a deadline, meaning something must be completed on or before that date. "On that date" refers specifically to the events occurring on that particular day. They are not perfectly interchangeable, and it depends on context.

Can I use "by then" instead of "by that date"?

Yes, "by then" is a suitable substitute for "by that date" when the date has already been established in the conversation or writing. It is a more concise option.