by what date

USAGE SUMMARY

"By what date" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to ask someone when you need an exact timeline for something. For example, "By what date do you need this report submitted?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

By what date might he do something?

The New York Times - Sports

Many details remain to be worked out, including the exact level of emissions reduction the REDD program should aim for and by what date, and what system should be used to measure the carbon storage of various habitats.

The New York Times - Science

It works like this: You tell Simple how much you want to save, and by what date, and it moves a certain amount of money out of your "Safe-to-Spend" balance every day.

TechCrunch

Check the date of submission: You need to check as to by what date you have to submit your dissertation and whether or not any flexibility is allowed.

WikiHow

For a personal project, work plans will help you delineate what you intend to do, how you intend to do it, and by what date you intend to have it done.

WikiHow

Decide whether you want to restrict some information on your website to people who are "members" - and decide what membership allows and requires ( is it free, do they have to register etc. ) Determine by what date you need to launch your website.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"It's really important that Abu Qatada is deported, and also held in custody before that, but at the moment that seems to have been put at risk by confusion and chaos over exactly what date things should happen.

BBC

What date shall it be?

Huffington Post

Lilith remains the only tour of its kind, and we are confident that fans will be amazed by what each date has to offer".

The New York Times - Arts

Now, he's taking on Vice President Mike Pence by taking a guess at what dating app he might use. .

Huffington Post

See what dates are available.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by what date" when you need to know the specific date something is expected to be completed or submitted. It emphasizes the importance of a precise timeline.

Common error

Avoid using "what date" when you specifically want to know the deadline. "By what date" clearly indicates you're asking for the final date for something, not just any date.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by what date" functions as an interrogative phrase, specifically used to inquire about a deadline or a target completion date. It's used to elicit a precise date by which an action or task must be completed. Ludwig examples confirm this use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by what date" is a grammatically correct and usable interrogative phrase used to inquire about specific deadlines. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not extremely common, it is appropriate in professional and neutral contexts. When using this phrase, remember that its primary function is to solicit a specific completion date and alternatives include "by when" or "what is the deadline" depending on the desired level of formality. Be aware of the subtle difference between "by what date" and "what date", using the former to emphasize a deadline.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by what deadline

Replaces "date" with the more specific term "deadline".

by when

Simplifies the phrase while retaining the meaning of a deadline.

what is the due date

Changes the structure to a direct question about the due date.

what is the deadline

Directly asks for the deadline instead of inquiring about the date.

on or before what date

Adds the condition of "on or before" to specify a final date.

at what time

Shifts the focus to a specific time, rather than just a date.

when is it due

A more casual way of asking for the deadline.

by which day

Substitutes "date" with "day" but has the same essence.

before what date

Specifies a date before which something must be completed.

what's the target date

Replaces "date" with the term "target date" which changes the focus slightly to a projected time.

FAQs

How do I use "by what date" in a sentence?

You can use "by what date" to inquire about a deadline, such as "By what date do you need the report?" or "By what date should I expect the delivery?". It's a formal way of asking for a specific deadline.

What's a more casual alternative to "by what date"?

If you're looking for a less formal way to ask about a deadline, you could use phrases like "when is it due" or "what's the deadline". These are more direct and suitable for informal settings.

Is "by what date" the same as "what date"?

No, "by what date" implies a deadline or a target completion date. "What date" is a more general inquiry about a specific date without necessarily implying a deadline. For example, "What date is the meeting?" vs. "By what date do you need the confirmation?".

What prepositions can I use with "date" to indicate a deadline?

Besides "by", you can use prepositions like "on" or "before" to specify a deadline. For example, "on what date" specifies a specific date something should happen, while "before what date" gives a date before which something should be completed.