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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
circa this date
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "circa this date" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate an approximate date or time period when the exact date is not known. Example: "The document was created circa this date, suggesting it was likely produced around the year 1800."
✓ Grammatically correct
Academia
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
60 human-written examples
As the advertisement shows the drink in a bottle, therefore the circa date of 1955 .--Bookseller's note.
Academia
The Perls Galleries is showing Calder watercolors, drawings, and gouaches from "circa 1925" to date.
News & Media
To that end, the company is backed by Oy Ingman Finance, and private angel investors, and has raised a cool €3.9 million (circa $5.2m) to date.
News & Media
"Besides delivering mail, I help with appraisals and circa dating," he said.
News & Media
The start of forest-clearing for agriculture, and thus presumably colonization, has been dated to circa 1200, implying a date for the invention of rongorongo no earlier than the 13th century.
Wiki
Photographs in this series date from circa 1928-1996, with a concentration of material in the 1960s-1970s.
Academia
This would date the first building of the castle to circa 1070.
Wiki
Also suppose that imports in the initially open economy would be 40% of GDP (the figure last seen in Argentina circa 1910, the last date when both it and the rest of the world were close to fully open).
A veritable Jim Carey circa 1994, this one.
News & Media
Is this a singing competition or Blind Date, circa 1989?
News & Media
Despite the fact that the Silk Road dates back to circa 300 BC, this international commercial line still figures prominently in discussions among economists and governments on stimulating the global economy through reviving historically proven initiatives.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "circa this date", ensure the context clearly establishes what "this date" refers to. Ambiguity can arise if the reference date is not explicitly defined earlier in the text.
Common error
Avoid using "circa this date" when a precise date is known. "Circa" implies approximation, so using it when accuracy is possible undermines credibility.
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "circa this date" functions as a prepositional phrase used to modify a noun or verb, indicating an approximate time. It suggests that something occurred near or around a specific date, rather than on that exact date. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is usable and correct.
Frequent in
Academia
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Less common in
Science
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News & Media
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Formal & Business
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Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "circa this date" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate an approximate date. As Ludwig AI confirms, while technically sound, its usage is infrequent, making it important to ensure context is clear. Alternative phrases like "around this time" or "approximately this date" can be used for clarity or variation. It is best practice to use this phrase only when the exact date is unknown and to avoid redundancy by not using "circa" with synonyms. While grammatically correct, its relative rarity means mindful application ensures clear communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
approximately this date
Substitutes "circa" with "approximately", providing a direct synonym for indicating an estimate.
roughly this date
Similar to "approximately", but slightly more informal.
about this date
Offers a simpler, less formal estimation of the date.
around this time
Replaces "circa" with "around" and "date" with "time", offering a more casual approximation.
near this date
A shorter, more straightforward way of expressing that something happened close to the mentioned date.
close to this date
Indicates proximity to the specified date without needing the term "circa".
in proximity to this date
Formally indicates that something is close to a specific date.
in the vicinity of this date
Uses a more formal and precise way of indicating that something occurred close to a particular date.
give or take this date
Indicates a loose estimation, acknowledging potential minor deviations from the date.
in the neighborhood of this date
Employs a colloquial expression to suggest the event happened near the mentioned date.
FAQs
How can I use "circa this date" in a sentence?
"Circa this date" is used to indicate an approximate time. For example, "The document was created circa this date, suggesting it was likely produced around the year 1800."
What can I say instead of "circa this date"?
You can use alternatives like "around this time", "approximately this date", or "about this date" depending on the context.
Is it redundant to say "circa around this date"?
Yes, it is redundant. "Circa" already means "around" or "approximately", so using both terms together is unnecessary. Just use "circa this date" or "around this date".
When is it appropriate to use "circa this date"?
Use "circa this date" when you don't have the exact date and are providing an estimate. It's suitable for historical contexts, or when the precise date is not critical to the information being conveyed.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
78%
Authority and reliability
3.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested