cover the date

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cover the date" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of concealing or obscuring a specific date, often in contexts like event planning or documentation. Example: "Please make sure to cover the date on the invitation to avoid any confusion about the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Ms Garrett anticipates another surge in cases when the workers cover the date trees in nets (to protect the fruit from bats) in late June.On May 14th, following a meeting of its International Health Regulations Emergency Committee, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that it was not, for now, declaring MERS a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (commonly known as a PHEIC).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

RB supervised study planning, design, execution and analysis and co-wrote and edited the manuscript aThe three study periods cover the dates: pre-MET, 1 January 1999 to 31 August 1999; education phase, 1 September 1999 to 31 August 2000; post-MET implementation, 1 September 2000 to 31 October 2004.

Critical Care

Make sure that the certificates do cover the dates that the contractor worked for your company.

WikiHow

These time series need to cover the whole date range of years without any data gaps, though missing observations can be filled with NaN (the Matlab shorthand for "Not a Number").

BMC Public Health

Newspaper reports of an astronomer's view that star signs cover the wrong dates have caused a hubbub.

BBC

Repeated baseline measures on anonymised length of stay and readmission rates will be taken, to cover the pilot dates, in order to provide quantitative evidence of any effect that the form may have had.

BMJ Open

Real receipts were altered to cover the time and date of the tickets.

The New York Times

These questionnaires cover the following information: date and duration of implementation, number of students attending the class, whether each of the core activities was or was not implemented, and a final judgement of the unit.

BMJ Open

Add the dates, cover the pan, remove it from the heat and leave the dates to soak for 1 hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The dates cover the period when TV resumed after the war to the coming of satellite broadcasting.

The Guardian

The ministry did not give a reason, but the dates cover the 60th anniversary of Communist rule in China on Oct. 1 and the holiday period afterward.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cover the date" to mean 'hide the date', be sure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Cover the date on the invitation to prevent confusion."

Common error

Avoid using "cover the date" when you mean to 'reschedule an event'. "Cover the date" implies concealing or handling an existing date, not changing it to a new one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cover the date" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It involves the action of 'covering' (a verb) applied to 'the date' (a noun phrase). Ludwig AI suggests that it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cover the date" functions as a verb phrase primarily used to indicate concealing a date or handling matters related to it. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, although it is considered rare. It appears across various contexts, with News & Media, Science and Wiki being more frequent. While grammatically correct, it's important to ensure the context is clear to avoid any ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "mask the date" or "obscure the date" to enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mask the date

Focuses on concealing the date from view.

obscure the date

Similar to 'mask', emphasizing making the date less clear or noticeable.

conceal the date

Highlights the act of hiding the date.

deal with the date

Broader; implies handling or managing something related to the date.

address the date

Suggests tackling or resolving an issue pertaining to the specific date.

take care of the date

Implies ensuring everything is properly arranged or managed concerning the date.

handle the date

Similar to 'deal with', but may suggest more direct action or management.

manage the date

Emphasizes controlling or organizing events related to the date.

work around the date

Suggests finding a way to proceed despite challenges associated with the date.

account for the date

Implies considering the date in plans or calculations.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "cover the date" to avoid ambiguity?

To avoid ambiguity when using "cover the date", consider alternatives like "mask the date" or "obscure the date" if you mean to hide or conceal a date. If you want to talk about handling it in a meeting you could use "discuss the date".

What does "cover the date" typically mean?

"Cover the date" usually means to hide, conceal, or deal with a specific date. It can also imply ensuring that something is taken care of concerning that date.

Is "cover the date" formal or informal language?

"Cover the date" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it might be more common in practical or procedural discussions.

What are some situations where I might use "cover the date"?

You might use "cover the date" when discussing concealing a date on a document, addressing a scheduling conflict, or ensuring that an event on a particular date is properly managed.